txhx<xvy of ^he Cbeolo^ical ^tmimry
PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY
PURCHASED BY THE
MRS. ROBERT LENOX KENNEDY
CHURCH HISTORY FUND
BR 7A6 .C58 v. 2: 1
The Church historians of
England
THE CHUECH HISTOEIANS
OP ENGLAND.
THE CHUKCH HISTOEIANS
OF ENGLAND.
VOL. II.— PART I.
y
CONTAINING
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.
THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF
WORCESTER,
WITH A CONTINUATION AND APPENDIX.
EDITED AND IN PART TRANSLATED
FROM THE ORIGINALS,
BY THE REV. JOSEPH STEVENSON, M.A.
OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DURHAM :
VICAR OF LEIGHTOX BUZZARD.
FLEET STREET axd HANOVER STREET.
MDCCCLIIL
PnlNTER, nltRAD STIIEKT IIII.L, If
CONTENTS.
PAGE
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 1
The Chronicle op Florence of Worcester 169
Coutinuation of the Chronicle of Florence of Worcester 336
Appendix to Florence of Worcester —
The Names of the Archbishoi^s and Bishops of England —
Kent.— The Naraes of the Archbishops of the Church of Can-
terbury 373
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of Rochester ib.
East Saxony. — The Names of the Bishops of the Church of London . 374
Fast Anylki. — The Names of the Bishoi^s of the East Angles . . . ib.
The Names of the Bishops of Elmham ib.
The Names of the Bishops of Dunwich ib.
South Saxony. — The Names of the Bishops of the South Saxons . . . 875
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of Selsey . ib.
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of Chichester ib.
West Saxony. — The Names of the Bishops of the Chui-ch of Dorchester 37G
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of Winchester ib.
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of Sunning . 377
The Names of the Bishoj^s of the Church of Sherborne ih.
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of AVells . . ib.
The Names of the Bishops of the Church of Crediton . 378
Hccana. — The Names of the Bishops of the Magesetas, or people
of Herefordshire ib.
Huiccia. — How the Episcopal See came to be placed at Worcester il>.
The Names of the Bishops of the Hwiccias 379
Mercia. — The Names of the Bishops of Lichfield 3S0
Mid-Anglia. — The Names of the Bishops of Leicester 381
Lindsey. — The Names of the Bishops of the Lindisfari .... ib.
Deira. — The Names of the Archbishops and Bishops of the
Northumbrians 382
The Names of the Archbishops of York ib.
The Name of the Bishop of Ripon 383
The Names of the Bishops of Hexham ih.
Bernicia. — The Names of the Bishops of Lindisfarne ib.
The Territory of tU Plcts.— The Names of the Bishops of Whitherne . ib
FAGE
The Genealogy of the Augles —
The Genealogy of the Kings of the Kentish Peoi)le 384
The Genealogy of the Kings of the East Angles 385
The Genealogy of the Kings of the East Saxons 386
The Genealogy of the Kings of the Mercians 387
The Genealogy of the Kings of the Lindisfari 388
The Genealogy of the Kings of the Northumbrians 389
The Genealogy of the Kings of the West Saxons 891
The Genealogy of the Kentish Kings 392
The Origin of the Kingdom of the Kings of the East Angles .... 393
East Saxony 394
Mercia 395
The Origin of the Kingdom of the Kings of the Beruieii 397
The Commencement of the Kingdom of the Kings of the Deiri . . . ib.
The Genealogy of the Kings of the ^Ye3t Saxons 400
Concerning the Kentish Kingdom 4u2
ConcernLng the West Saxon Kingdom 4n:i
Concerning the Mercian Kingdom ih.
Concerning the East Anglian Kingdom ib.
Concerning the East Saxon Kingdom ib.
Concerning the Northumbrian Kingdom ih.
Concerning the Archbishops of Canterbury and York 4 04
Concerning the Bishops' Seats in the Council lb.
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHUONICLE.
PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE.
§ 1 . This first portion of the second volume contains two histo-
rical documents of considerable value, the Saxon Chronicle and the
Chronicle of Florence of Worcester, with its Continuation and
Appendices ; upon each of which it is necessary for us to make a
few observations.
§ 2. Inferior, perhaps, in general importance to the Ecclesiastical
History of the Venerable Beda, yet possessing an interest which is
in some respects superior to that document, is the Saxon Chronicle.
Each of these two great authorities has its own distinct value. The
former claims to itself a more remote antiquity ; it exhibits a
regular continuity of narrative, and a systematic attempt to present
a connected history of the introduction of Christianity into England,
and its progress up to the time at which its author wrote — none of
which characteristics belong to the Saxon Chronicle. Its author-
ship, too, is an undisputed fact. We know when, where, and by
whom it was written ; and we can trace with remarkable pre-
cision the materials out of which Beda constructed his narrative.
And it has been transmitted to us in a degree of completeness and
purity which enables us to decide that we have it nearly as it was
left by its venerable author.
§ 3. But with the Saxon Chronicle the case is widely different.
We are left in some uncertainty as to almost every question con-
nected with its date, its origin, its progress, and its component parts ;
and the consequence naturally is, that its value is hereby seriously
affected. We very rarely can affirm that the statements which it
makes are those of a contemporary ; we can only say that such is
probably the case. It has come down to us through various MSS.,
each of which is in some degree independent of the other ; while
all of them exhibit sufficient uniformity of structure and language
to lead to the conviction that they must have proceeded from a
common original. We have to regret that this prototype of the
Saxon Chronicle has not reached us ; for, could it be recovered,
the results to be derived from its examination would be most
important. In its absence, however, we must endeavour to satisfy
ourselves by throwing together the few inferences which may be
gleaned from an inquiry into the condition of the existing copies — •
citing them by the designations which they respectively bear in the
notes and various readings to the present edition.
§ 4. A. In many respects this is one of the most important
copies which has come down to our times. It is preserved in the
X PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE,
Library of Corpus Christi College at Cambridge, having formed a
portion of the valuable collections of Archbishop Parker which he
presented to that society. It is now numbered clxxiii. It is written
upon vellum, in double columns, as far as a.d. 417, at folio 9 ; but
after that date, in a single column. It extends from the time of
Julius Cresar to the year 1070. The original handwriting ends witli
the year 891 ; and from that point onwards the entries have been
made from time to time by a variety of scribes, specimens of whose
writing may be seen in plates xxiii. and xxiv. of Petrie and Hardy's
Monumenta Historica. From the fact of the first portion of this
copy exhibiting some philological peculiarities which indicate a modi-
fied Anglian dialect, we may assume that it had its origin in the
kingdom of Mercia, although, at the same time, its earlier entries
relate chiefly to incidents which have no exclusive connexion with
that kingdom. An alteration in the range of its information takes
place about a.d. 806, after which date it becomes much more
general. Many passages have been inserted from a copy correspond-
ing with MS. E, and in several places it agrees closely with that
marked G. Its uniformity with C in some points is also worthy
of notice.
§ 5. B. The Cottonian MS., Tiberius A. vi., in small folio.
It suffered slightly in the disastrous fire of October, 1731. Appa-
rently it represents a copy which was compiled in the year 977, to
which period it extends from the incarnation of our Lord. It is
written in one uniform hand, which may be referred to about the
latter half of the tenth century, and of which a specimen is given
in Petrie and Hardy's volume, plate xxii. It is faulty (or, perhaps,
imperfect), by frequently omitting dates at the beginning of its
narrative of the respective years to which they refer. As far as the
year 918 it agrees very closely with MS. G, as represented by
Whelock's edition ; from that point to 934 there is a considerable
variation between these two texts ; but the similarity is again j)er-
ceptible from 934 to 977, where B ends. It has many points of
correspondence with MS. C, and these so minute as to argue either
a common origin, or that one has been constructed upon, or at least
influenced by, the othor. It is interesting as embodying what
appears to have been an independent Mercian Chronicle, having for
its object a narrative of the exploits of the lady Aethelfled.
§ 6. C. This copy is likewise one of the Cottonian MSS., being
distinguished by the press-mark, Tiberius B. i. Before it became
the property of Sir Robert Cotton it belonged to Bowser, the
Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London. Like its prede-
cessors, it is written upon vellum, in folio. It extends from the
invasion of Julius Cix'sar to a.d. lOGG, the original scribe carrying
it on from the beginning to 1047. Various hands have been
employed upon it from that ])()int to its conclusion. A fac simile
of the writing may be seen in l-*etrie and Hardy, ])latc xxi. There is
a marked degree of similarity between this copy and B, as fai as the
latter extends (that is, to a.d. 977), with this diHerence, however,
that in the present cojiy the chronology is complete ; after this date
it coincides with D, E, and F, to the end of the year 1050, from
PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE. XI
which point to 1065 it is blank. It ends with a narrative of the
exploits of the Danish soldier at Stamford bridge, in 1066 ; but
this portion has been added by a hand of the twelfth century.
§ 7. D- The Cottonian MS., Tiberius B. iv., a folio volume,
written upon vellum, extending from the Incarnation of our Lord
to the year 1079. The original hand carries the narrative on to
1016, after which several scribes have been occupied upon its
continuation. A specimen of the writing of the earlier portion
of this copy is given by Petrie and Hardy, in plate xx. of the
work already cited. Sometimes (though neither so frequently nor
so decidedly as E) it gives indications of a northern influence,
touching upon the affairs of Northumbria or Mercia, respecting
which A, B, and C are either silent or comparatively uninformed,
and this chiefly about the middle of the tenth century. In one
place the writer speaks of himself as an inhabitant of the earldom
of earl Siward, which he calls "this north end," (a.d. 1052 ;) now
we know that Siward obtained possession of the earldom of
Northumbria, extending from the Humber to the Tweed. ^ Its
compiler appears to have had before him two texts, of which the
chronology did not exactly correspond ; and in order to remove
the difticulty thus occasioned, he has, in several instances, intro-
duced the same entry under two difterent years. The continuation,
after 1016, bears internal evidence of being, in some places, the
work of a contemporary. Thus, in the year 1036, the annalist
does not venture to speak openly of earl Godwine and his party,
but contents himself with designating them as " those persons who
have much power in the land." It is also worthy of notice that
during this period the year commences with Easter, contrary to the
usual mode of Anglo-Saxon reckoning ; thereby strengthening the
presumption that we have here the narrative of a Contemporary
writer.
§ 8. E. The Bodleian MS. 636 (formerly known as E. 80, and
as such quoted by Ingram), written upon vellum, in quarto, extends
from the Incarnation of our Lord to 1154. As far as a.d. 476 it
is written in double columns, afterwards in single. It appears to
have been transcribed as far as 1122 by a contemporary scribe,
from which date to the end various hands are perceptible. The
latter portion is much defaced, and at least one leaf, possibly more,
is lost at the end. Between the years 891 and 975 its information
is very scanty ; several years being blank. Its connexion with copies
resembling A, C, D, and F can be traced. It frequently agrees
with D in cases where these two texts deviate from F. It exhibits
jiroofs of a Northumbrian origin, speaking of " our royal families,"
(a.d. 449,) as distinguished from " those of the South-humbrians;"
inserting passages which relate to the history of that kingdom and
the pedigree of its sovereigns, and omitting events which have
reference to Mercia and Wessex, although introduced into other
copies. It is open to inquiry, however, how far these passages are
to be accepted as of primary authority.
' Simeon Dunelm. ap. Petrie aud Hardy, p. CS7. Dugd. Baron, i. 4.
xii PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE.
§ 9. This text of the Chronicle, as we now have it, was reduced
to its present shape by the monks of Peterborough, to whom we
are indebted for the local information given, a.d. 665, 657, 675,
686, 777, 852, 963, &c. In the latter portion of this manuscript
we find a succession of proofs indicating contemporaneous author-
ship. In one place an expression points to Edward the Confessor as
being on tlie throne when it was penned (a.d. 1041). In another
the author gives a minute and graphic description of William the
Conqueror from personal observation (a.d. 1087). A pious ejacula-
tion for the welfare of Ernost, bishop of Rochester, upon his acces-
sion to that dignity in 1114, shows that the passage in which it
occurs must probably have been written at the time, certainly before
his death in 1124. A sentence which may be seen at the end of
the year 1127, proves that the writer when he penned it was
ignorant of the issue of a transaction, which however he presently
enters, as concluded in 1128. This portion of the Chronicle bears
indisputable marks of a contemporary hand on every page ; the
hopes and fears, affections and antipathies of the writer being all
distinctly recorded. It was not reduced to its present form, however,
until after the death of king Stephen, whose reign is mentioned
as having extended to nineteen years (a.d. 1137). Again, abbot
Martin is spoken of as dead when the narrative assumed its present
form, an event which we know did not occur until a.d. 1155.^
The writer or writers, whoever they were, seem to have been well
informed upon the transactions of the period, and at the same time
cautious in introducing statements, of the veracity of which they
had not reasonable evidence. In one place (a.d. 1106) they say,
speaking of some strange appearances in the sky, " But we do not
write more fully about it, because we saw it not ourselves." Upon
another occasion they express themselves with a degree of indepen-
dence of thought upon tlie delicate subject of the venality of the
court of Rome, which shows them to have been men who would
not scruple honestly to express their convictions. Upon the whole,
we may perhaps consider this manuscript as the most valuable copy
of the Saxon Chronicle.
§ 10. F. The Ci-.ttonian MS., Domitian A. vii., written in
quarto or octavo, upon vellum, in a continuous hand of the latter
end of the eleventh, or beginning of the twelfth centur)', and
extending from the Incarnation of our Lord to 1056. It is much
mutilated towards the end, and concludes abruptly : in its complete
state it probably extended considerably further. It frequently
betrays its Kentish origin, and appears to have belonged to Christ
Church, Canterbuiy, within the walls of which it was probably
compiled. (See a.d. 694, 796, 797, 995.) Some of these Kentish
additions occur in the margin of the manuscript, having been
added after the period of its first transcription. (See a.d. 870.)
Its correspondence with D and E is frequent and remai'kable.
This uniformity holds good more particularly up to 891, from
which date to 975 the entries are few and unimportant. It also
' See Chron. Petroburgeuse, p. 2 ; ed. Camden Society : aud another Chronicle
bearing the same title, edited by Dr. Giles, p. 97.
PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE. Xlll
contains a Latin version of the Saxon, which, however, in some
particulars appears to be rather an independent narrative than a
mere translation.
§ 11. G. The Cottonian'MS. Otho B. xi., written upon vellum,
in small folio, but now a mere fragment, only three damaged leaves
remaining. A fac-simile of two of these pages, in their present
mutilated condition, may be seen in Petrie and Hardy's volume,
plates xviii. and xix. These extend from 837 to 871. We have
the less cause, however, to regret the loss of this manuscript, since
it is accurately represented in the edition of Whelock (concerning
which see § 17), of which it forms the basis ; and a comparison of
his text with the remaining fragments proves that his transcript
from it, made when it was perfect, was executed with care and
fidelity. Another transcript, by Lambard, is preserved among
Ussher's manuscripts at Dublin. This MS. extends from the in-
vasion of Julius Caesar to 1001. Several peculiarities seem to
point at a West-Saxon influence ; but upon this head it is necessary
to speak with considerable hesitation.
§ 12. Such, then, being the condition in which the Saxon
Chronicle has come down to us, as exhibited in existing copies,
three questions now appear to arise for our consideration.
i. The first is, " What light does history throw upon this diffi-
culty?"
ii. " Does it ascribe the authorship of the Chronicle to any
locality, or to any period of time, or to any individual ? "
iii. " To what results are we led by a comparison of this external
evidence, when taken in connexion with the inferences furnished
by the manuscript copies themselves?"
§ 13. To each of these questions the attention of the reader is
now invited.
i. That our early historians were acquainted with a book of
annals written in the vernacular tongue, which was substantially
the same as the Saxon Chronicle, admits of no doubt. It is re-
ferred to by Florence of Worcester (a.d. 672, 674, 734) and
William of Malmesbuiy (Prol. in GestaRegum), besides having been
translated, to a large extent, by Ethelward, Asser, and others. In
some places the translation is so sei-vile that the Saxon idioms are
preserved, and even the errors of the original are retained. We
are justified, therefore, in believing that when these Latin historians
speak of a Saxon Chronicle, they mean that Saxon Chronicle with
which we are acquainted, and no other.
§ 14. ii. The authorship of this Chronicle is ascribed to king
Alfred, but upon evidence to which the greatest weight cannot be
awarded. The earliest writer who can be adduced for this state-
ment is Gaimar, who wrote in the middle of the twelfth century.
Speaking of this monarch, he says, —
" II fist escrivere un livre Engleis,
Des aventures, e des leis,
E de batailles de la terre,
E des reis ki firent la guere." — line 3i51.
XIV PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE.
§ 15. iii. Let us see if the hint thus furnished us by Gaimar
can be made to coincide with the internal evidence supphed by the
Saxon Chronicle itself.
It is by no means improbable that Alfred, a prince earnestly
devoted to literature, should write, or cause to be written, a chronicle
narrating the leading events of the history of his own country. That
he should do this in the Saxon language, if he did it at all, is no
less probable, when we remember that for the sake of extending
our national literature he translated some of the writings of Gregory,
Beda, Orosius, and Boethius into his mother tongue. The structure
of the existing copies of the Chronicle favours the presumption
thus raised. From the commencement of that document until the
year 851, it exhibits all the appearances of a compilation; but
from that period to 891 it assumes a more regular form, the nar-
rative is more detailed, and it has every mark of a contemporaneous
history. Again, from the year 891 onwards, the character of flic
document changes for the worse ; its entries are less frequent and
its information less valuable. These extreme dates of 851 and 891
limit, with tolerable accuracy, the period of Alfred's life.
§ 16, These considerations lead to the probable conclusion that
the Saxon Chronicle — in its conception, if not in its execution — ■
originated with king Alfred. We may further conjecture that,
about the year 891, he sent a copy of it to each of the cathedral
churches, or larger monasteries ; a supposition which will not be
considered extravagant, when we remember that he assuredly did
so in the case of his translation of the Pastorale of Pope Gregory,
the copies of which, transmitted by him to Canterbury, Wor-
cester, and Sherborne, are yet extant. In these several monas-
teries, in which Alfred placed copies of our annals, we conjecture
that the narrative was continued ; and that the existing copies are
framed from various combinations of these several manuscripts.
The Editor is not aware that any more probable solution of the
question as to the origin of the Saxon Chronicle has been offered ;
and he believes that this meets all the requirements of the case,
leaving no essential feature in the inquiry without a probable
solution.
§ 17. Four editions of the Saxon Chronicle have been pul)lishcd.
The first is due to Al)raham Whelock, the professor of xVrabic
and Anglo-Saxon at Cambridge. It forms a portion of the sup-
plemental matter appended to his edition of Beda, which appeared
in folio at Cambridge in 1044. This edition is not witiiout its
value, even at the present time, since it is based upon the destroyed
Cottonian MS., Otho B. xi. (see § 11), which we have reason to
believe it represents, with a commendable degree of accuracy.
Whelock also used our MS. A, of the value of which he does not
appear to have been fully sensible.
§ 18. In 1(392, Edmund Gibson, afterwards bishop of London,
gave an improved edition of the Chronicle, having corrected
Whelock's text by the aid of three important manuscripts, none of
which had l)oen omplovcd by that editor. These are the copies
B K. and A'nf our li>l.'
PREFACE TO THE SAXON CHRONICLE. XV
§ 19. Gibson's edition, in its turn, was superseded by that
published in 1823, by the late Dr. Ingram, at that time President of
Trinity College, Oxford. Ingram used all the existing manuscripts.
This edition (though now valueless as far as the year 1066) still
maintains its place in public estimation, since, from the date of
the Norman Conquest to the year 1154, at which the Chronicle
ends, we have no more satisfactory text than that which is here
afforded.
§ 20. In 1848 appeared the first volume of the " Materials for
the History of Britain," prepared by the late Mr. Petrie, and
edited by Mr. Hardy. In accordance with Mr. Petrie's plan, this
volume contains the Saxon Chronicle no further than the Norman
Conquest. The text is entirely reconstructed, being based upon
the earliest existing MS., that, namely, which we have designated
as A, interwoven with which, however, are the additions furnished
by the other copies. From the year 891, at which the text of
MS. A ends, the narrative is framed from a comparison of all
the surviving transcripts. It is accompanied by an English trans-
lation, which adheres, as closely as our modern language will admit,
to the structure and idiom of the original.
§21. With the exception of a few unimportant corrections, the
English version of the earlier portion of the Saxon Chronicle which
is contained in this present volume, is a reprint of that which was
published in 1848 by Mr. Petrie. Tlie proprietors of the present
series of English Historians are indebted to the Lords of Her
Majesty's Treasury for permission to avail themselves of the result
of Mr. Petrie's labours, as far as this document is concerned. It
will be remembered, however, [§ 20,] that this translation extends
no further than the year 1066. From that date, to the end of the
work in 1154, a new translation has been prepared, and for this
the Editor is responsible. It will be found to differ, in many
instances, from the version furnished by Dr. Ingram. The text,
moreover, has occasionally been corrected by a collation with the
Laud MS. E. [§ 8.]
The Editor cannot conclude his observations upon the Saxon
Chronicle without expressing his regret that we are still unprovided
with a satisfactory critical edition of the whole of these Annals,
forming, as they assuredly do, one of the most interesting and
valuable remnants of our early national literature.
Leighton Buzzard,
lltJi November, 1853.
THE
ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLE.
[The island* of Britain is eight hundred miles long and two
hundred miles broad : and here in this island are five tongues ;
English, British, Scottish, Pictish, and Latin. The first inhabit-
ants of this land were Britons ; they came from Armenia,^ and first
settled in the south of Britain. Then befel it that Picts came
from the south from Scythia, with long ships, not many, and first
landed in North Hibernia, and there entreated the Scots that they
might there abide. But they would not permit them, for they said
that they could not all abide there together. And then the Scots
said, " We may nevertheless give you counsel. We know another
island eastward of this, where ye may dwell if ye will, and if any
one withstand you, we will assist you, so that you may subdue it."
Then went the Picts and subdued this land northwards ; the
southern part the Britons had, as we before have said.' And
the Picts obtained wives for themselves of the Scots, on this
condition, that they should always choose their royal lineage on
the woman's side ; which they have held ever since. And then
befel it in the course of years that some part of the Scots departed
from Hibernia into Britain, and conquered some portion of the
land. And their leader was called Reoda ; from whom they are
named Dalreodi.*]
Before the incarnation of Christ sixty years, Gaius Julius the
emperor, first of the Romans, sought the land of Britain ; and he
crushed the Britons in battle, and overcame them : and neverthe-
less he was unable to gain any empire there,
^ Sixty years before Christ was born, Gaius Julius, emperor of the
Romans, with eighty ships, sought Britain. There he waa at first dis-
1 This description of Britain, which is found only in MSS. D. E. P., is taken
from Beda's Eccl. Hist. — P.
2 Armorica is meant : " De traetu Armoricano," Hist. Eccl. § 7.
3 These words are those of Beda, from whose History this introduction is
taken ; and a slight but unmistakeable peculiarity in the diction enables us to
decide that they are copied from Alfred's version of that history. See Smith's
edition, 474. 19.
* The MSS. D. E. F. proceed with the paragraph begimiing with the word "Sixty."
* MSS. D. E. F. in continuation of the introduction.
VOL. II. B
2 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1—
tressed by a fierce battle, and a large portion of his army was dispersed.
And then he left his army to abide among the Scots,' and went south into
Gaul, and there collected six hundred ships, with which he came again
into Britain. And as they first rushed together, the emperor's ' gercfa
was slain : he was called Labieuus. Then the Welsh took large and sharp
stakes and drove them into the fording-place of a certain river, \uider
water ; this river was called Thames. When the Romans discovered this,
then would they not go over the ford. Then fled the Britons to the wood-
wastes, and the emperor conquered very many of their chief cities after
a great struggle, and departed again into Gaul.
A.D. 1. Octavianus reigned fifty-six years; and in tlie forty-
second year of his reign* Christ was born,
A.D. 2. The three astrologers came from the eastern parts in order
that they might worship Christ. And the children were slain at
Bethlehem, in persecution of Christ by Herod.
A.D. 3. This year died Herod, having stabbed himself, and
Archelaus his son succeeded to the government. ^And the child
Christ was brought back again from Eg)'pt.
A.D. 4, 5.
A.D. 6. From the beginning of the world to this year, five
thousand and two hundred years were gone by.
A.D. 7—10.
A.D. 11. ^This year Herod the son of Antipater obtained the
government of Judea.
A.D. 12. ■'Philip and Herod divided Lysia (between them), and
Judea they divided into tetrarchies.
A.D. 12. 5 This year Judea was divided into four tetrarchies.
A.D. 13 15.
A.D. "16. This year Tiberius succeeded to the empire.
A.D. 17—25.
A.D. 26. 'This year Pilate began to rule over the Jews.
A.D. 27—29.
A.D. *30. This year Christ was baptized ; and he converted Peter
and Andrew, and James and John and Philip, and the twelve
apostles.
A.D. 31. 32.
A.D. 33. This year Christ was crucified; being from the begin-
ning of the world about five thousand two hundred and twenty-six
years.
A.D. 34. This year St. Paul was converted, and St. Stephen
stoned.
A.D. 35. This year the blessed apostle Peter established a
bishop's see in the city of Antioch,
A.D. 36, 37.
* Some MSS. of Beda for " hiberna" read " Hibemia," whence, Hibemia being
the proper countiy of the Scots, the Roman forces are sent thither by the com-
piler.^. — P.
2 In F. only.
' Thin is an insertion in A.
* The text is here corrupted ; see Eeda, Six Ages, i. C'27, from which this is
erroneously copied.
' In F. only. « a.d. 15, B. C. ^ B. C. « a.d. 29, C.
A.D. 81.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 3
A.D. 38. 'This year Pilate slew himself with his own hand.
A.D. 39. This year Caius obtained the empire.
A.D. 40. ^Matthew, in Judea, began to write his gospel.
A.D. 41 — 44.
A.D. 45. 'This year the blessed apostle Peter established a
bishop's see in Rome. ''This year James, the brother of John,
was slain by Herod.
A.D. 46. This year Herod died ; he who slew James, one year
before his own death.
A.D. 46. ^This year the emperor Claudius came to Britain, and subdued
a large part of the island ; and he also added the island of Orkney to the
dominion of the Romans.
A.D. 47. *This year Claudius, second of the Roman kings,
sought the land of Britain, and brought under his power the
greatest part of the island, and also subjected the Orkney Islands
to the dominion of the Romans. ''This war he eftected in the
fourth year of his reign : and in the same year was the great
famine in Syria, which was foretold in the Acts of the Apostles
through Agabus the prophet. Then Nero succeeded to the empire
after Claudius : he nearly lost the island of Britain through his
cowardice. ^Mark the Evangelist begins to write the gospel in
Egypt.
A.D. 47. ^This was in the fourth year of his reign, and in this same year
was the great famine in Syria which Luke speaks of in the book caUed
" Actus Apostolorum."
A.D. 47. ^" This year Claudius, king of the Eomans, went with an army
into Britain, and subdued the island, and subjected all the Picts and
Welsh to the rule of the Eomans.
A.D. 48. ''In this year there was a very severe famine.
A.D. 49. '^This year Nero began to reign.
A.D. 50. "This year Paul was sent in bonds to Rome.
A.D. 51—61.
A.D. 62. This year James, the brother of our Lord, suffered
martyrdom.
A.D. 63. This year Mark the Evangelist died.
A.D. 64—68.
A.D, '*69. This year Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom.
A.D. 69. 15 This year Peter suffered on the cross, and Paul was slain.
A.D. 70. This year Vespasian obtained the empire.
A.D. 71. This year Titus, the son of Vespasian, slew one hun-
dred and eleven thousand Jews in Jerusalem.
A.D. 72—80.
A.D. 81. This year Titus succeeded to the empire, after Vespa-
sian ; he who said that he had lost the day on which he had done
no good.
1 From F. 2 From F.
^ A.D. 44, B. C. F. G., and so originally A.
* The concluding sentence is from F. ^ F. in a different band.
" See Beda, Eccl. Hist. I. iii. § 10. B. C. G. ascribe this to A.D. 45.
7 D. E. 8 F. 9 From A., inserted a.d. 47, note ">.
1" D. E. " F. " Y.
" F. » A.D. 68, G. " F.
B 2
4 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 82—
A.D. 82, 83.
A.D. 84. This year Domitian, the In'other of Titus, succeeded to
the empire.
A.D. 84. ^Thia year John the Apostle wrote the book which is caUed
Apocalypse,
A.D. 85, 86.
A.D. ^87. This year John the PZvangehst wrote the book of the
Apocalypse in the island of Patmos.
A.D. 88—99.
A.D. '100. This year Simon the apostle, the kinsman of Christ,
was crucified, and John the Evangelist rested [in death] on that
day at Ephesus.
A.D. ■'101. This year pope Clement died.
A.D. 102—109.
A.D. '110. This year Ignatius the bishop suffered martyrdom.
A.D. 111—115.
A.D. 116. "This year Adrian the emperor began to reign.
A.D. 117—136.
A.D. 137. 'This year Antoninus began to reign.
A.D. 138—144.
A.D. * 145. This year Marcus Antoninus' and Aurelius his
brother succeeded to the empire.
A.D. 146—166.
A.D. '"167. This year Eleutherius" obtained the bishopric of
Rome, and held it in great glory for twelve years. '^ To hin\
Lucius, king of Britain, sent letters praying that he might be
made a Christian : and he fulfilled what he requested. "And they
afterwards continued in the right faith till the reign of Diocletian.
A.D. 167. "This year Eleutherius .succeeded to the popedom, tmd held it
fifteen years ; and in the same year Lucius, king of the Britons, sent and
begged baptism. And he soon sent it him ; and they continued in the
true faith until the time of Diocletian.
A.D. 168—187.
A.D. "188. This year Severus succeeded to the empire, and went
with an army into Britain, and subdued a great part of the island
by battle , and then, for the protection of the Britons, lie built a
rampart of turf, and a broad wall thereon, from sea to sea. He
reigned seventeen years, and then ended his days at York. His son
Bassianus succeeded to the empire : another son of his was called
Geta; he died.'^
A.D. 188. "This year Severus built a rampart of turf in Britain, after he
had won the land in battle, and a broad wall thereon, from .sea to sea ; and
he reigned seventeen years, and then ended his days at York.
> F. 2 A.D. 84, G., and originally A. 85 B. C.
' A.D. 90, G. This year is an insertion in B. C. D. E. F. G.
♦ A.D. 92, G. From B. C. D. E. F. G. and inserted iu A.
A.D. 109, B. C. 6 F. 7 F.
* A.D. 1.55, D. In D. E., and inserted in A.
" Autonius, A. erroneously. " a.d. 189, G.
• The dates of the accession and death of Eleutherins are uncertain. The
latest authority, Jaffo, (Regest. Rom. Pont. 4, Berl. 1851,) fixes his pontificate a.s
extending from 177 to 190, p. 4. See Beda, Eccl. Hist. I. iv.
'^ B. C. D. E. G. assign him a pontificate of fifteen years.
" D. E. and inserted in A. '* V. >= D. a.d. 189, E.
'" Here is an hiatus in D. to a.d. 9G3. '' F.
A.D. 442.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 5
A.D. 189. Here Severus^ obtained the empire, and reigned
seven years. He begirt Britain with a ditch from sea to sea,
^ and then ended his days at York ; and Bassianus his son succeeded
to the empire.
A.D. 190—198.
A.D. 199. 'In this year the holy rood was found.
A.D. 200. Two hundred years.
A.D. 201—285.
A.D. 286. *This year St. Alban the martyr suffered.
A.D. 287—299.
A.D. 300. Three hundred years.
A.D. 301—342.
A.D. 343. 'This year St. Nicolas died.
A.D. 344—378.
A.D. 379. "This year Gratian succeeded to the empire.
A.D. 380.
A.D. 381. This year Maximus the emperor obtained the empire;
lie was born in the land of Britain, and went thence into Gaul.
'And he there slew the emperor Gratian, and drove his brother,
who was called Valentinian, out of the country. And Valentinian
afterwards gathered an army and slew Maximus, and obtained the
empire. * In these days the heresy of Pelagius arose throughout
the world.
A.D. 382—408.
A.D. M09. This year the Goths took the city of Rome by storm,
and after this the Romans never ruled in Britain ; ^''and this was
about eleven hundred and ten years after it had been built.
"Altogether they ruled in Britain four hundred and seventy years
since Caius Julius first sought the land,
A.D. 409. '-This year the city of Eome was taken by storm by the Goths,
about eleven hundred and ten years after it had been built. After this
the Roman kings ruled no longer in Britain.
A.D. 410—417.
A.D. 418. ''This year the Romans collected all the treasures that
were in Britain, and some they hid in the earth, so that no one has
since been able to find them ; and some they carried with them into
Gaul.
A.D. 419—422.
A.D. 423. ^*This year Theodosius the younger succeeded to the
empire.
A.D. 424—429.
A.D. 430. ^'This year Palladius the bishop was sent to the Scots
by pope Celestinus, that he might confirm their faith.
A.D. 430. 16 This year Patrick was sent by pope Celestine to preach
baptism to the Scots,
A.D. 431—442.
1 See Beda, I. v. 2 Inserted in A. ' F.
* See Beda's Six Ages, p. 635. From E. F. and inserted in A. under A.D. 283.
^ E. F. 6 See Beda I. ix. B. and inserted in A.
7 E. F. and inserted in A. *■ From A. See Beda, I. x.
3 A.D. 435, G. 10 Inserted in A, '' E. F. and inserted in A.
'= E.F. 13 'QQ^l^^ I j-l, H E. F. and inserted in A.
" See Beda's Six Ages. " E. F.
6 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 443—
A.D. 443. 'This year the Britons sent over sea to Rome,^ and
hegged of them for lielp against the Picts ; but they had none,
because they were themselves warring against Attila, king of the
Huns. And then they sent to the Angles/ and entreated the Uke of
the etheUngs of the Angles.
A.D. 444. *This year St. Martin died.
A.D. 445—448.
A.D. 448. 5 This year John the Baptist revealed his head to two monks,
■who came from the east to offer up their prayers at Jerusalem, on the spot
which was formerly Herod's residence. At the same time Martianus and
Valentinianus reigned ; and in that time the Angles came to this country,
invited by kiug Wyrtgeorne to assist him in overcoming his foes. They
came to this country with three long ships, and their leaders were Ilengest
and Horsa. First of all they slew and expelled the king's enemies, and
afterwards they turned against the king and against the Britons, and
destroyed them by fire and the edge of the sword.
A.D. 449. ''This year Martianus and Valentinus' succeeded to
the empire, and reigned seven years. And in their days Hengest
and Horsa, invited by Wyrtgeorne, king of the Britons, landed in
Britain on the shore which is called Ypwinesfleet ; at first in aid
of the Britons, but afterwards they fought against them. *King
Wyrtgeorn gave them land in the south-east of this countr)', on
condition that they should fight against the Picts. Then they
fought against the Picts, and had the victory wheresoever they
came. They then sent to Anglen ; desired a larger force to be
sent, and caused them to be told the worthlessness of the Britons,
and the excellencies of the land. Then they soon sent thither a
larger force in aid of the others. 'At that time there came men
from three tribes in Germany; from the Old-Saxons, from the
Angles, from the Jutes. From the Jutes came the inhabitants of
Kent, and of Wight ; that is, the race which now dwells in Wight,
and that race among the West- Saxons which is still called the race
of Jutes. From the Old -Saxons came the men of Essex, and
Sussex, and Wessex. From Anglen (which has ever since re-
mained waste betwixt the Jutes and Saxons) came the men of
East Anglia, Middle Anglia, Mercia, and all North-humbria. Their
leaders were two brothers, Hengest and Horsa : they were the
sons of Wihtgils ; Wihtgils son of Witta, Witta of Wecta, Wecta
of Woden: from this Woden sprang all our" royal families, and
those of the South-humbrians also.
A.D. 449. "And in their days Wyrtgeorn invited the Angles thither, and
they came to Britain in three ceols, at the place called Heopwius-tleet.
A.D. 450—454.
* E. and inserted in A ^ Beda I. xiii.
3 Beda, I. xiv. * From F. * From F. See Beda, i. G41.
* See Beda, Eccl. Hist. I. xv.
' An error for " Valentinianus."
* The passage ending with the word " North-humbria " is derived from E.
and inserted in A.
8 On the origin of these three tribes of invaders the remarks of Dr. Latham in
his book on " The English Language" are entitled to attention, more especially
hia criticism upon the Jutish portion of the immigrants, p. 10, seq.
'" Here we have an indication of a Northumbrian writer.
" From E., which continues the passage as at note ^ above.
A.D. 495.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 7
A.D. 455. This year Hengest and Horsa fought against king
W'^yrtgeorn at the place which is called Aegels-threp [Aylesford]/
and his brother Horsa was there slain, and after that Hengest
obtained the kingdom, and Aesc his son.
A.D. 456. 2This year Hengest and Aesc slew four troops of Britons with
the edge of the sword, in the place which is called Creccanford [Crayford].
A.D. M57. This year Hengest and Aesc, his son, fought against
the Britons at the place which is colled Crecganford [Crayford],
and there slew four thousand men ; and the Britons then forsook
Kent, and in great terror fled to London.
A.D. 458—464.
A.D. M65. This year Hengest and Aesc fought against the
Welsh near Wippedsfleet [Ebbesfleet?], and there slew twelve
Welsh " ealdormen," and one of their own thanes was slain there,
whose name was Wipped.
A.D. 466—472.
A.D. 473. This year Hengest and Aesc fought against the Welsh,
and took spoils innumerable ; and the Welsh fled from the Angles
like fire.
A.D. 474—476.
A.D. 477. This year Aella, and his three sons, Cymen, and
Wlencing, and Cissa, came to the land of Britain with three ships,
at a place which is named Cymenes-ora,^ and there slew many
Welsh, and some they drove in flight into the wood that is named
Andreds-lea.
A.D. 478—481.
A.D. 482. ^This year the blessed abbat Benedict, by the glory of
his miracles, shone in this world, as the blessed Gregory relates in
his book of Dialogues.
A.D. 483, 484.
A.D. 485. This year Aella fought against the Welsh near the
bank of Mearcraedsburn.
A.D. 486, 487.
A.D. 488. This year Aesc succeeded to the kingdom, and was
king of the Kentish-men twenty-four years. ^
A.D. 489, 490.
A.D. *491. This year Aella and Cissa besieged Andredscester,
and slew all that dwelt therein, so that not a single Briton was
there left.
A.D. 492—494.
A.D. 495. This year two "ealdormen" came to Britain, Cerdic
^ The positions usually assigned to various places mentioned n the earlier
portion of the Chronicle, are often very uncertain, depending chiefly on a sup-
posed or real similarity of names. Where these, however, appear sufficiently
probable, they are placed between brackets, if otherwise, a quscre is added. — P.
2 From F. ^ a.d. 456, B. C. E. * a.d. 461, B. C.
5 Petrie here remarks that the place of his landing seems to have been near
West-Wittering; and that the forest of Andred occupied the present Weald of
Kent and Sussex. For its extent see a.d. 893.
^ FromF.
' One copy, E., assigns him a reign of thirty-four years.
8 A.D. 490 G.
8 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 496—
and Cynric, his son, with five ships, at the place which is called
Cerdics-ore, and the same day they fought against the Welsh.'
A.D. 496—500.
A.D. 501. This year Port, and his two sons Bieda and Meegla,
came to Britain with two ships, at a place which is called Ports-
mouth, ^and they soon effected a landing, and they there slew a
young British man of high nobility.
A.D. 502—507.
A.D. 508. This year Cerdic and Cynric slew a British king, whose
name was Natan-leod, and five thousand men with him. After
him the country was named Natan-lea, as far as Ccrdicsford
[Charford].
A.D. 509. ^Tliis year St. Benedict the abbat, father of all monks,
went to heaven.
A.D. 510—513.
A.D. 514. This year the West-Saxons came to Britain with
three ships, at the place which is called Cerdic's-ore, and Stuf and
Wliitgar fought against the Britons, and put them to flight.
A.D. 515—518.
A.D. 519. This year Cerdic and Cynric obtained the kingdom
of the West- Saxons ; and the same year they fought against the
Britons where it is now named Cerdicsford. *And from that time
forth the royal offspring of the West-Saxons reigned.
A.D. 520—526.
A.D. 527. This year Cerdic and Cynric fought against the
Britons at the place which is called Cerdic's-lea.
A.D. 528, 529.
A.D. 530. This year Cerdic and Cynric conquered the island of
Wight, and slew many men at Wiht-garas-byrg [Carisbrooke, in
Wight].
A.D. 531—533.
A.D. 534. This year Cerdic, the first king of the West-Saxons,
died, and Cynric his son succeeded to the kingdom, and reigned
from that time twenty-six' years ; and they gave the whole island
of Wight to their two nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar.
a.d' 535—537.
A.D. 538. ^This year, fourteen days before the kalends of March
[15th Feb.], the sun was eclipsed from early morning till nine in
the forenoon.
A.D. 539.
A.D. 540. 'This year the sun was eclipsed on the twelfth of the
kalends of July [20th .Tune], and the stars showed themselves fuU-
nigh half an hour after nine in the forenoon.
A.D. 541—543.
A.D. 544. This year Wihtgar died, and they buried him in
Wiht-gara-byrg [Carisbrooke].
' The genealogy of the West-Saxon kings, which Gibson here inserted in his
edition of the Chronicle, will be given in its proper place.
^ The remainder of this year is from E.
' From F. The true date of Benedict's death is a.D. 513.
* To the end of the year inserted in A. from E.
' B. C. F. xxvii. * See Beda's epitome. ' Sec Beda'd epitome.
A.D. 565.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 9
A.D. 545, 546.
A.D. 547- 'This year Ida began to reign, from whom arose the
royal race of North-humbria ; ^and he reigned twelve years, and
built Bambrough, which was at first enclosed by a hedge, and after-
wards by a wall. ^ Ida was the son of Eoppa, Eoppa of Esa, Esa
of Ingwi, Ingwi of Angenwit, Angenwit of Aloe, Aloe of Benoc,
Benoe of Brand, Brand of Baldaeg, Baldaeg of Woden, Woden of
Freotholaf, Freotholaf of Freothowulf, Freothowulf of Finn, Finn
of Godulf, Godulf of Geat.
A.D. 548—551.
A.D. 552. This year Cynric fought against the Britons at the place
which is called Searo-byrig [Old Sarum], and he put the Bretwalas
to flight. Cerdic* was Cynric's father ; Cerdic w^as the son of
Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wig, Wig of Freawin,
Freawin of Frithogar, Frithogar of Brand, Brand of Baeldaeg, Bael-
daeg of Woden. ^And Egelberht, the son of Eormenric, was born ;
and in the . . . tieth" year of his reign he received baptism, the
first of the kings in Britain.
A.D. 553—555.
A.D. 556. 'This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought against the
Britons at Beran-Byrig. [Banbury ?]
A.D. 557—559.
A.D. 560. This year Ceawlin succeeded to the kingdom of the
West- Saxons, and Ida being dead, Aelle succeeded to the kingdom
of North-humbria, ^each of whom reigned thirty years. 'Aella
was the son of YfFa, Yffa of Uxfrea, Uxfrea of Wilgils, Wilgils of
Westerfalcna, Westerfalcna of Saefugl, Saefugl of Saebald, Saebald
of Sigegeat, Sigegeat of Swabdaeg, Swabdaeg of Sigegar, Sigegar
of Waegdaeg, Waegdaeg of Woden, Woden of Frithowulf.
A.D. 561—564.
A.D. 565. "This year Aethelbriht^' succeeded to the kingdom of
the Kentish-men, and held it fifty-three years. In his days the
holy pope Gregory sent us baptism, that was in the two-and-
thirtieth'^ year of his reign ; and Columba, a mass-priest, came to
the Picts, and converted them to the faith of Christ : they are
dwellers by the northern mountains. And their king gave him
the island which is called li [lona] : therein are five hides of land,
as men say. There Columba built a monastery ; and he was
abbat there thirty-two years ; and there he died when he was
seventy-seven years old. His successors still have the place. The
* See Beda's epitome.
^ The remainder of the year is inserted in A. from E. F.
' B. C. G. to the end of the year.
* The following pedigree is not in E. ' From F.
^ Imperfect in the MS. 7 ^ot in F.
* The duration of these reigns is from E. F., and is inserted in A.
' The following pedigree is from B. C. and G., excepting the name of Fi-itho-
wnlf, which occurs only in G. i» E. F., and inserted in A.
11 All the MSS. now remaining place Ethelbert's accession in 565, Whelock in
560, which seems right, though apparently without MS. authority, for Beda
(II. Y.) says he died 23d Feb. 616, after a reign of fifty-sis years, and MS. E. under
the year 616, (seemingly from Beda,) also assigns him a i-eign of fifty-six years.
The thirty-second year of his reign, noticed in MS. F. (see note '-) would of course
be reckoned from 565. See Beda, III. iv. — P. '- This date is from F.
10 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 565—
Southern Picts had been baptized long before : bishop Ninia, who
had been instructed at Rome, had preached baptism to them, whose
church and his monastery is at Witherne, hallowed in the name of
St. Martin : there he resteth, with many holy men. Now in li
there must ever be an abbat, and not a bishop ; and all the Scottish
bishops ought to be subject to him, because Columba was an abbat
and not a bishop.
A.D. 565. "This year Columba the presbyter came from the Scots among
the Britons, to instruct the Picts, and he built a monastery in the island
of Hii.
A.D. 566, 567.
A.D. 568. This year Ceawlin, and Cutha, Ceawlin's brother,
fought against Aethelbirht, and drove him into Kent, and they
killed two "ealdormen" at Wibban-dune [Wimbledon], Oslaf and
Cnebba.
A.D. 569, 570.
A.D. 571. This year Cuthwulf fought against the Bretwalas at
Bedcanford [Bedford], and took four towns, Lygean-byrg [Leigh-
ton?] and Aegeles-birg [Aylesbury], and Baenesington [Benson],
and Egonesham [Eynsham] ; and the same year he died. ^ Cutha
was Ceawlin's brother.
A.D. 572—576.
A.D. 577. This year Cuthwine and Ceawlin fought against the
Britons, and they slew three kings, Comail, and Condidan, and
Farinmail, at the place which is called Deorham [Derham ?], and
took three cities from them, Gloucester, and Cirencester, and
Bath-ceaster.
A.D. 578—582.
A.D. 583. ^This year Mauricius succeeded to the empire of the
Romans.
A.D. 584. Tliis year Ceawlin and Cutha fought against the
Britons at the place which is called Fethan-lea, [Frethern ?] and
there was Cutha slain ; and Ceawlin took many towns, and spoils
innumerable ; and wrathful he thence returned to his own.
A.D. 585—587.
A.D. 588. Tliis year king Aclle died, and Ethclric reigned after
him five years.
A.D. 589.
A.D. *590. At this period CeoP reigned five years.
A.D. '^591. This year in Britain was a great slaughter in battle
at Woddesbeorg [Wemborow?], and Ceawlin was expelled.
A.D. 592. 'This year Gregoiy succeeded to the popedom in
Rome.
A.D. 593. This year Ceawlin, and Cuichelm, and Crida* perished ;
and Aethelfrith succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians;
"he was the son of Aethelric, Aethelric of Ida.
» From B. C. and G.
2 From E. We should apparently read " Cuthwulf;" but both he and Cutha
were the brothers of Ceawlin. — P.
^ E. F. and inserted in A. From Beda, I. xxiii. * a.d. 591, B. C. E.
° So B. C. G. Ceol [ric], by interpolation, A. Ceolric, E. He was king of Wessex.
6 A.D. 592, B. C. E. ' E. and inserted A.D. 691, in A. « King of Mercia.
» To the end of the year from E.
A.D. 607.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 11
A.D. 594, 595.
A.D. 596. ^This year pope Gregoiy sent Augustine to Britain,
with a great many monks, who preached the word of God to the
nation of the Angles.
A.D. 597. This year Ceolwulf began to reign over the West-
Saxons ; and he fought and contended incessantly against either
the Angles, or the Welsh, or the Picts, or the Scots. ^He was the
son of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdic of
Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wig, Wig of Frea-
wine, Freawine of Frithugar, Frithugar of Brond, Brond of Baeldaeg,
Baeldaeg of Woden. ^This year Augustine and his companions
came to the land of the Angles.
A.D. 598—600.
A.D. 601. This year pope Gregory sent a pall to archbishop
Augustine in Britain, and also a great many religious teachers to
assist him, and amongst them was Paulinus the bishop, who after-
wards converted Eadwin, king of the North-humbrians, to baptism.
A.D. 602.
A.D. 603. This year there was a battle at Egesanstane.*
A.D. 603. 5 This year Aegthan, king of the Scots, fought against the
Dalreods^ and against Aethelferth, king of the North-humbrians, at
Daegsaustane [Dawston ?], and they slew almost all his army. 'There
Theodbald, Aethelferth's brother, was slain with all his band. Since then
no king of the Scots has dared to lead an army against this nation. Bering,
the son of Hussa,8 led the army thither.
A.D. 604. 'This year the East-Saxons received the faith and
baptism under king Saebriht and bishop Mellitus.
A.D. 604. ^"This year xlugustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitus and
Justus. He sent Mellitus to preach baptism to the East-Saxons, whose
king was called Saeberht, son of Eicole, the sister of Aethelberht, and
whom Aethelberht had there appointed king. And Aethelberht gave
Mellitus a bishop's see in London, and to Justus he gave Rochester,
"which is twenty-four miles h-orn Canterbury.
A.D. 605.
A.D. ^^606. This year pope Gregory died, about'' ten years after
he had sent us baptism ; '*his father was called Gordian, and his
mother Silvia.
A.D. 607. "This year Ceolwulf fought against the South-Saxons.
'^And this year Aethelfrith led his army to Legaceastre [Chester],
1 B. C. E. F. G., and inserted in A. See Beda I. xxiii.
2 This pedigree is not in E. ^ F.
* Read " Degsastan" on the authority of Beda, Eccl. Hist, I. xxxiv. This passage
is in B. C. G., and originally was in A.
^ E. and inserted in A.
^ There is some confusion here; the Dalreods were Aedan's subjects.
7 E.
' See the chronology appended to More's copy of Beda's Eccl. Hist, for this
Hussa. 9 See Beda, II. iii. From B. C. G. and originally A.
1" E. F , and inserted in A. " Not in F.
12 A.D. 605, E. P. See Beda II. i. '^ tj^^ ^,^^.^ u ^}^q^i " jg ^ot {^ y.
1* B. C. G. 15 This clause does not occur in F.
1^ E. A.D. 605, and inserted in A. under this year, but on what authority a date
is assigned to this event is uncertain. According to the Cambrian Annals and
Tigernach it occurred in 613.
12 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 608—
and tliere slew numberless Welshmen : and so was fulfilled the
prophecy of Augustine, wherein he saith, " If the Welsh will not
be at peace with us, they shall perish at the hands of the Saxons."
There also were slain two hundred priests, who came to pray for
the army of the Welsh : their " ealdor " was called Scromail
[Brocmail], who with about fifty escaped thence.
A.D. 608—610.
A.D. 611. This year Cynegils succeeded to the kingdom of the
West-Saxons, and held it thirty-one years. ^Cynegils was the son
of Ceol, Ceol of Cutha, Cutha of Cvnric.
A.D. 612. 613.
A.D. 614. This year Cynegils and Cuichelm fought at Bcandun,^
and slew two thousand and sixty-five ^ Welshmen.*
A.D. 615.
A.D. 616. 'This year Aethelbyrht, king of the Kentish-men,
died ; ^he was the first English king who received baptism, and he
was the son of Eormenric ; he reigned fifty-six years, and in this
same year five thousand eight hundred years ^ were gone by, from
the beginning of the world ; and after him, Eadbald his son suc-
ceeded to the kingdom; *he forsook his baptismal vow, and lived
after the manner of the heathens, so that he had his father's widow
to wife. ^Then Laurentius, who was archbishop of Kent, was
minded that he would go southwards over the sea, and leave it
entirely. But the apostle Peter came to him by night and scourged
him sorely, because he wished thus to forsake the flock of God, and
commanded him to go to the king and preach the true faith to
him; and he did so, and the king was converted and was baptized.
In this king's days '"Laurentius, who was archbishop of Kent after
Augustine, died, and was buried beside Augustine, ''on the 4th of the
nones of February [2d Feb.]. After him Mellitus, who formerly
had been bishop of London, succeeded to the archbishopric : then
the men of London, where Mellitus had been formerly, became
heathens (again). And in about five years, during the reign of
Eadbald, Mellitus departed to Christ. Then after him, '^Justus
succeeded to the archbishopric; and he consecrated Romanus to
Rochester, where formerly himself had been bishop.
> B. C. and a.
2 BeamcUin, B. C. G. Prolialily Bampton, near Oxford.
^ 45, B. C. ; 46, E. G., and so perhaps A. originally.
* In F. there is a Latin insertion here, of which the follownng is a translation : —
" In this year, on the 7th of the kalends of June [2Cth May], the blessed
Augustine, who was the apostle of the English, having finished the labour of this
miserable life, obtained the society of the angels; to whom in the year of our'
Lord's incarnation 614 succeeded Laurence, whom, while he was yet young,
Augustine himself had conseci-ated with this purpose, that he might succeed
himself in the archbishopric." The Saxon narrative has here been mostly cut oft'
or obliterated.
5 See Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. v.
" From F. as far as "Eormenric;" the duration of his reign is from E. and F.
I 5616 G.
* To the end of the year from V,. F., and ;in insertion in A.
9 Beda, II. vi.
'" See Beda, II. vii.
'• This date is not in A.
'^ See Beda, 11. viii.
A.D. 626.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 13
A.D. 616. ' In that time Laureutius was archbishop, and for the sorrow-
fulness which he had on account of the king's unbelief, he was minded to
forsake this country entirely, and go over sea ; but St. Peter the apostle
scourged him sorely one night, because he wished thus to forsake the flock
of God, and commanded him to teach boldly the true faith to the king ;
and he did so, and the king turned to the right (faith). In the days of this
same king Eadbald, this Laurentius died. The holy Augustine, while_ yet
in sound health, ordained him bishop, in order that the church of
Christ, which was yet new in England, should not after his decease be at
any time without an archbishop. After him Mellitus, who had been pre-
viously bishop of London, succeeded to the archbishopric. And within
live years of the decease of Laurentius, while Eadbald still reigned, Mellitus
departed to Christ.
A.D. 617. ^Tliis year Aethelfrith, king of the North-humbrians
was slain by Reodwald, king of the East-Angles, and Eadwin the
son of Aella succeeded to the kingdom, and subdued all Britain,
the Kentish-men alone excepted. And he drove out the " ethel-
ings," sons of Aethelfrith ; that is to say, first Eanfrid, Oswald, and
Oswiu, Oslac, Oswudu, Oslaf, and Offa.
A.D. 618.
A.D. 619. ^This year archbishop Laurentius died.
A.D. 620—623.
A.D. 624. ^This year archbishop Mellitus died.
A.D. 625. This year Paulinus was ordained bishop of the North-
humbrians by archbishop Justus, on the '12th of the kalends of
August [21 July].
A.D. 625. ^This year archbishop Justus consecrated Paulinus bishop of the
North-humbrians.
A.D. 626. This year Eanfled, daughter of king Eadwin, was
baptized on the holy eve of Pentecost [8th June], and (now) Penda
held the kingdom thirty years, and he was fifty years (old) when he
succeeded to the kingdom. 'Penda was the son of Pybba, Pybba of
Creoda, Creoda of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel,
Icel of Eomaer, Eomaer of Angeltheow, Angeltheow of Ofia, OfTa
of Waermund, Waermund of Wihtlaeg, Wihtlaeg of Woden.
A.D. 626. 8 This year Eomer came from Cwichelm king of the West-
Saxons, thinking to stab king Eadwin. But he stabbed Lilla his thane, and
Forthhere, and wounded the king. And on the same night a daughter
was born to Eadwin: she was called Eanfled. Then the king promised
Paulinus that he would give his daughter to God, if he would obtain of God
that he might kill his foe who had before sent the assassin thither. And
he then went with an army against the West-Saxons, and there killed five
kings, and slew a great number of the people. And at Pentecost Paulinus
baptized his daughter, ^she being one of twelve. "And within a twelve-
month the king, and all his nobility, were baptized at Easter ; that year
Easter fell on the 2d of the ides or April [12th April, a.d. 627]. This was
done at York, where he first ordered a church to be built of wood, which
was consecrated in the name of St. Peter. There the king gave Pauhnus
From F. instead of the passage indicated in the text at note ^.
See Beda, II. xii. and II. v. The whole of this year is from E.
From F. See Beda, II. vii. * E. F. Beda, ibid.
The date is from E. F. See Beda, II. xiv. " E. F.
This pedigree is from B. C. and G. ^ E.
See Beda, Eccl. Hiat. § 114, note ". '" Ibid. II. xiv.
14 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 627—
a bishop's see, and tliere he afterwards commanded a larger church to be
built of stone. And this year Penda succeeded to the kingdom [of Mercia],
and reigned thirty years.
A.D. 627. ^This year king Eadwin was baptized with his people
by PauHnus at Easter [12th April]. And this Paulinus also preached
baptism in Lindsey, where the first who believed was a certain
great man called Blecca, with all his followers. ^And in this time
Honorius, who sent Paulinus his pall, succeeded to the popedom
after Boniface. And archbishop Justus died on the 4th of the
ides of November [10 Nov.], and Honorius was consecrated arch-
bishop of Canterbury by Paulinus at Lincoln. And to this Honorius
the pope also sent a pall : and he sent a letter to the Scots, desiring
that they should turn to the right Easter.
A.D. 627. ^This year, at Easter [12th April], Paulinus baptized Eadwin, king
of the North-humbrians, with his people: and earlier within the same year,
at Pentecost, he had baptized Eanfiaed, daughter of the same king.*
A.D. 628. This year Cynegils and Cuichelm fought against Penda
at Cirencester; and then made a treaty.
A.D. 629—631.
A.D. 632. ^This year Eorpwald^ was baptized.
A.D. 633. ^This year Eadwin was slain, and Paulinus returned
to the Kentish-men, and occupied the bishop's see at Rochester.
A.D. 633. *Tliis year king Eadwin was slain by Cadwalla and Penda at
Heathfield [Hatfield Chase ?] on the 2d of the ides of October [14th Oct.],
and he reigned seventeen years ; and his son Osfrith was also slain with
him. And after that went Ceadwalla and Penda, and laid waste the whole
country of the North-humbrians. When Paulinus saw that, he took
Aethelburge, Eadwin's widow, and departed by ship to Kent. And
^Eadbold and Honorius received him very honourably, and gave him a
bishop's see in Rochester ; and he dwelt there till his end.
A.D. 633. i^This year king Eadwin was slain, and Paidinus returned again
with Aethelburge, Eadwin's widow, to Canterbury, and Honorius the arch-
bishop received them with great worship, and gave Pauhnus a bishop's
see in Rochester, and there he dwelt until his death.
A.D. 634. "This year Osric, whom Paulinus had formerly bap-
tized, succeeded to the kingdom of Deira; he was the son of
Aelfric, Aedwin's uncle. And Eanfrith the son of Aethelfrith suc-
ceeded to Bernicia. And this year also bishop Birinus first
preached baptism to the West-Saxons, '"under king Cynegils.
Birinus came thither by command of Honorius the pope, and he
was bishop there until his life's end. ''And this year also Oswold
succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians, and he reigned
nine years; the ninth being numbered to him because of the
heathenism which they practised who reigned over them the one
year between him and Eadwin.
' See Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. xiv.— six. ' E. F.
' F. ♦ Continued at ».
* This entry does not occur in F.
* King of East Anglia. See Eccl. Hist. II. xv.
7 See Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. xx. « From E
' Eadbold was king of Kent at this time. " F.
" This first sentence is from E.
'- The remainder of the year is from E.
>» See Eccl, Hist. III. L— ix.
A.D. 644.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 15
A.D. 635. ^This year king Cynegils was baptized by Birinus the
bishop, at Dorchester, and Oswold king of the North-humbrians
was his godfather.
A.D. 636. This year king Cuichelm was baptized at Dorchester,
and the same year he died. ^And bishop Fehx preached the faith
of Christ to the East- Angles.
A.D. 637. 638.
A.D. 639. This year Birinus baptized king Cuthred at Dorchester,
and received him as his (god) son.
A.D. 640. ^This year Eadbald,* king of the Kentish-men, died,
and he reigned twenty-five years. ^ ^ He had two sons, Ermenred
and Ercenberht, and Ercenberht reigned there after his father. He
overthrew all idolatry in his kingdom, and was the first of the
English kings who established the Easter-fast. His daughter was
called Ercongota, a holy woman and a wondrous person, whose
mother was Sexburh, daughter of Anna, king of the East-Angles.
And Ermenred begot two sons, who afterwards were martyred by
Thunor.
A.D. 641.
A.D. 642. ^This year Oswold, king of the North-humbrians, was
slain *by Penda [and] the South-humbrians at JVIaser-feld on the
nones of August [5th Aug.], and his body was buried at Bardney.
His sanctity and his miracles were afterwards manifested in various
ways beyond this island, and his hands are at Baiiibrough, uncor-
rupted. And the same year that Oswold was slain, Oswiu his
brother succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians, and he
reigned two less (than) thirty years.
A.D. 643. 'This year Cenwalh succeeded to the kingdom of the
West-Saxons, and held it thirty-one^" years; and Cenwalh com-
manded the old^^ church at Winchester to be built in the name of
St. Peter; and he was the son of Cynegils.
A.D. 644. ^^This year Paulinus died, on the ^^6th of the ides of
October [10th Oct.]; he was archbishop first of York, and after-
wards at Rochester. ^*He was bishop one less (than) twenty years,
and two months and twenty-one days. ^^And this year Oswin's
uncle's son,^^ the son of Osric, succeeded to the kingdom of Deira,
and reigned seven years.
' See Eccl. Hist. III. vii. 2 See Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. xv.
* A D. 639, E. by repetition. See Eccl. Hist. III. viii.
* Redbald, G., and so apparently A. originally.
5 Twenty-four, E. F.
^ From here to the end of the year is an insertion in A., and occurs in E. and F.
'' See Eocl. Hist. III. is. x. In B. C. ascribed to 641.
8 To the end of the year from E. " A.D. 642, E.
" Twenty-one, K
" The epithet " old " occurs only in B. C, the dedication of Winchester is from
F., and the conclusion of the year from E., where by a clerical error the reading
is Cynegilw instead of Cynegils.
12 See Beda, Eccl. Hist. III. xiv. A D. 643, B. C. E.
1^ This date is from E.
1* This clause is from E. and F.
1^ The conclusion of the year from E.
1* This is apparently corrupt, and should be read " Oswin, the son of Osric,
Edwin's uncle's son." See Beda, III. i. and above, An. 634. — P.
16 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 615—
A.D. 645. 'This year king Cenwalh was driven out of his kingdom
by king Penda.
A.D. 646. ^This year king Cenwalh was baptized.
A.D. 647.
A.D. 648. ^This year Cenwalh gave Cuthred, his kinsman, three
thousand liides of land by Ashdown [Aston ?] . Cuthred was the
son of Cwichelm, Cwichelm of Cynegils. ^This year the minster
was built at Winchester, which king Cynwalh caused to be made,
and hallowed in the name of St. Peter.
A.D. 649.
A.D. 650. 'This year Aegelbyrht, a native of Gaul, obtained the
bishopric of the West-Saxons after Birinus the Romish bishop.
A.D. 650. •'This year Birinus the bishop died, and Aegebertus the
Frenchman was ordained.
A.D. 650. ' This year king Oswiu ordered king Oswin to be slain, on the
13th of the kalends of September [20th Aug.]; and about twelve days
after this bishox) Aidan died, on the 2d of the kalends of September
[31st Aug.].
A.D. 651. 'This year king Oswin was slain, and bishop Aidan
died.
A.D. 652. This year Cenwalh fought at Bradford by the Avon.
A.D. '653. This year the Middle- Saxons, under Peada the
" ealdorman," received the true faith.
A.D. 654. This year king Onna" was slain, and Botulf began to
build a minster at Ycean-ho " [Boston?]. '"And this year arch-
bishop Honorius died, '^on the second of the kalends of October
[30th Sept.].
A.D. 654. "This year king Osuiu slew king Penda at Winwedfield, and
thirty men of the royal race with him, and some of them were kings,
among whom was Aethelhere, brother of Anna, king of the East-Angles.
A.D. 655. ''This year Penda perished, and the Mercians became
Christians. From the beginning of the world to this time, five
thousand eight hundred and '"fifty years were agone; and Peada,''
the son of Penda,'^ succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.
'^In his time he and Oswiu, the brother of king Oswald, came
together, and agreed that they would rear a monastery to the glory
of Christ and the honour of St. Peter. And they did so, and
named it " Medeshamstede " [Peterborough], because there is a
» A.D. 644, B. C. E. See Beda, Eccl. Hist. HI. vii.
2 A.D. 645, B. E. 3 AD 647^ jj q t y^.^^ P_
^ A.D. 649, B. C. E. See Eccl. Hist. III. vii. ^' V. ? E.
* See Beda, Eccl. Hist. III. xiv.
9 A.D. 652, E. See Eccl. Hist. III. xxi.
" Namely, Anna, king of East Anglia. See Eccl. Hist. III. xviii.
' ' The name of Ycoau-ho is from B. C. E. ¥.
'- See Eccl. Hist. III. xx. F. asci-ibes this event to 653.
'^ This date is from E.
'* E. F. as far as " with him," afterwards from F. only, wlilch continues as at
''■ above, which it ascribes to the year 654.
'5 See Eccl Hist. III. xxiv.
"= E. F. omit " fifty." '' So B. C. E. Penda, A. G.
'* " The son of I'onda," not in G.
'' This U the first of many late addition.'* to tlie Chronicle concerning the
monastery of Peterborough. They occur only in MS. G. It is here ascribed to
A.D. 654.
A.D. G57.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 17
whirlpool, which is called Medeswa^l. And they began the foun-
dations and wrought thereon, and then committed it to a monk
who was called Saxulf. He was greatly God's friend, and all the
people loved him, and he was very nobly born, in a worldly sense,
and rich; but he is now much richer, being wdth Christ. And
king Peada reigned no long time, for he was betrayed by his own
wife at Easter.
^This year Ithamar, bishop of Rochester, consecrated Deus-dedit
to [the see of] Canterbury, on the seventh of the kalends of April
[26th March].
A.D. 656.
A.D. 657. This year Peada died, and Wulfhere, the son of Penda,
succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.
^In his time the abbacy of Medeshamstede, which his brother
had begun, waxed very rich. The king loved it much for the love
of his brother Peada, and for the love of Oswi his " wed-brother "
[brother by baptism], and for the love of abbat Saxulf. And he
said that he would dignify and honour it, and this by the counsel
of Aethelred and Merwala, his brothers, and Kyneburg and Kynes-
with, his sisters, and by the counsel of the archbishop, who was
called Deus-dedit, and by the counsel of all his " witan," both
clergy and laity, who were in his kingdom ; and he did so.
Then the king sent after the abbat, that he should come to him
with all speed, and he did so. Then the king said to the abbat,
" Lo ! I have sent for thee, beloved Saxulf, for the behoof of my
soul, and I will plainly tell thee for why. My brother Peada and
my dear friend Oswi began a monastery to the glory of Christ and
St. Peter. But my brother, as it has pleased Christ, is departed
this life, and my prayer to thee, O beloved friend, is, that they work
diligently on the work, and I wall provide thee thereto gold and
silver, land and possessions, and all that behoveth thereto." Then
the abbat went home, and began to build ; and he so sped, by the
grace of Christ, that in a few years the monastery was ready. Wlien
the king heard that said, he was very glad : he bade send through-
out the nation after all his thanes, after the archbishop, and after
the bishops, and after his earls, and after all who loved God, that
they should come to him ; and he set a day on which the monastery
should be hallowed.
At the hallowing of the monastery, king Wulfere was present,
and his brother Aethelred, and his sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith.
And Deus-dedit, archbishop of Canterbury, hallowed the monas-
tery, and Ithamar, bishop of Rochester, and the bishop of London,
W'ho was called Wina, and the bishop of the Mercians, who was
called Jeruman, and bishop Tuda. And there was Wilfrid the
priest, who was afterwards a bishop ; and were there all his thanes
who were within his kingdom.
When the monastery had been hallowed in the name of St. Peter,
St. Paul, and St. Andrew, then the king stood up before all his
thanes, and said, with a clear voice, " Thanked be the high Almighty
1 From E. Ascribed in F. to 655. See Beda, Eccl. Hist. III. xx.
2 E. See the Anglo-Saxon Charters, No. 98i.
VOL. II. C
18 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 657.
God for the worthy deed which here is done, and I will this day do
honour to Christ and St. Peter ; and I desire that ye all assent to
my words : I, Wulfere, do this day give to St. Peter and abbat
Saxulf, and the monks of the monastery, the lands, and the waters,
and meres, and fens, and wears, and all the lands which lie there-
about, which are of my kingdom, freely, so that none but the abbat
and the monks shall have any claim upon them. This is the grant.
From jNIedeshamstede to North-borough, and thence to the place
which is called Folies, and thence all the fen straight to Esendic, and
from Esendic to the place which is called Fethermouth, and thence
along the straight way ten miles to Cuggedike, and thence to Ragge-
wilh, and from Raggewilh five miles to the main stream which goeth
to Aelm and to Wisbeach, and thence about three miles to Throkon-
holt, and from Tlirokonholt straight through all the fen to Derevord,
which is twenty miles long, and thence to Gr?etecross, and from
Grpetecross through a clear water called Bradanse, and thence six
miles to Paccelade, and thence onward through all the meres and
fens which lie toward Huntendune-port, and these meres and lakes,
Scselfremere and Witlesmere, and all the others wdiich lie there-
about, with the land and the houses w-hich are on the east half of
Scselfremere, and from thence all the fens to Medeshamstede, and
from Medeshamstede toWelmesford, and from Welmesford to Clive,
and thence to Aestun, and from Aestun to Stamford, and from Stam-
ford even as the water runneth to the aforesaid North -borough."
These are the lands and the fens which the king gave to St. Peter's
monastery.
Then said the king, " This gift is little ; but it is my will that
they shall hold it so royally and so freely tliat neither geld nor
tribute be taken from it, except for the monks alone. And thus
free I will make this minster, that it be subject to Rome alone; and
here it is my will that all of us who are unable to go to Rome shall
visit St. Peter."
While he was saying these words, the abbat desired of him that
he would grant him what he should desire of him : and the king
granted it. " I have here God-fearing monks, who wish to spend
their lives in an anchorite's abode, if they knew where. And there
is an island here, which is called Ancarig, and my desire is that we
might build a minster there to the glory of St. J\Iai-y, so that those
may dwell therein who wish to lead a life of peace and rest."
Then the king answered, and said thus : " Beloved Saxulf, lo !
not only that one thing which thou hast desired, but all things
which I know that thou dcsirest on our Lord's behalf, I thus ap-
prove and grant. And I beg of thee, my brother Acthelred, and
my sisters Cyneburg and Cyncswith, that ye be witnesses, for your
souls' redemption, and that ye write it with your fingers. And 1 bog
all those who come after mc. be they my sons, be they my brothers,
or kings that come after me, that our gift may stand, even as they
would be partakers of the life eternal, and as they would escape
everlasting torment. Whosoever shall take from this our gift, or
the gifts of other good men, may the heavenly gate-ward take from
him in the kingdom of heaven ; and whosoever will increase it, may
A.D. 6S7.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 19
the heavenly gate-ward increase (his state) in the kingdom of
heaven."
These are the witnesses who were there, who subscribed it with
their fingers on the cross of Christ, and assented to it with their
tongues. King Wulf here was the first who confirmed it, first by his
word, and afterwards with his fingers wrote on it the cross of Christ ;
and said thus : " I, king Wulfhere, with the kings, and earls, and
dukes, and thanes, the witnesses of my gift, do confirm it before the
archbishop Deus-dedit with the cross of Christ. >J<" "And I, Oswi,
king of the North-humbrians, the friend of this monastery and of
abbat Saxulf, approve of it with the cross of Christ. sj< " " And I,
king Sighere, grant it with the cross of Christ. >j« " "And I, king
Sibbi, subscribe it with the cross of Christ, i^ " "And I, Aethelred,
the king's brother, grant that same with the cross of Christ. »5^ "
" And we, the king's sisters, Cyneburh and Cyneswith, we approve
it.>J<" "And I, Deus-dedit, archbishop of Canterbury, grant it.>{«"
After that, all the others who were there assented to it with the cross
of Christ.*^ They were byname Ithamar, bishop of Rochester, and
Wine, bishop of London, and Jeruman, who was bishop of the
Mercians, and bishop Tuda, and Wilfrid the priest, who was after-
wards bishop, and Eoppa the priest, whom king Wulfhere sent to
preach Christianity in Wight, and abbat Saxulf, and Immine the
'' ealdorman," and Eadberht the " ealdorman," and Herefrid the
" ealdorman," and Wilberht the " ealdorman," and Abo the " eal-
dorman," Aethelbold, Brorda, Wilberht, Elhmund, Frethegis. These
and many others who were there, sers'ants of the king, all assented
to it. This writing was written six hundred and sixty-four years
after the birth of our Lord, (in) the seventh year of king Wulfhere ;
the ninth year of archbishop Deus-dedit. They then laid the curse
of God, and the curse of all saints, and of all Christian people
(upon him) who should undo any thing which there was done.
" So be it," say all, " Amen."
AVlien these things were done, the king sent to Rome to Vitalian,'
who then was pope, and desired that he should grant by his writing,
and with his blessing, all the before -mentioned things. And the
pope sent then this writing, thus saying, — " I, pope Vitalian, con-
cede to thee, king Wulfhere, and archbishop Deus-dedit, and abbat
Saxulf, all the things which ye desire; and I forbid that any king or
any man have any claim thereon, except the abbat alone ; nor let
him obey any man except the pope of Rome, and the archbishop of
Canterbury. If any one break this in any thing, may St. Peter
exterminate him with his sword : if any one observe it, may St. Peter,
with the keys of heaven, undo for him the kingdom of heaven."
Thus the monastery at Medeshamstede was begun, which since has
been called Burh [Peterborough].
After that, another archbishop came to Canterbury, who was
called Theodorus, a very good and a wise man, and he held his synod
v.'ith his bishops and with the clergy. There was Winfrid, bishop
of the Mercians, deposed from his bishopric, and abbat Saxulf was
^ There is no other trace of this bull of Vitalian than the notice here preserved,
c 2
20 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND, [x.D. 65S—
there chosen to be bishop, and Cutlibald, a monk of the same
monastery, was chosen abbat. This synod was held six hundred
and seventy-three years after the birth of our Lord.^
A.D. 658/ This year Cenwalh fought against the Welsh at Peonna
[Pen] ; and he drove them as far as Pedrida [Petherton ?] . This was
fought after he came from East-Anglia ; he was there three years in
exile. Thither had Penda driven him, and deprived him of his
kingdom, because he had forsaken his sister.
A.D. 659.
A.D 660.' This year bishop Aegelbryht departed from Cenwalh,
and Wine held the bishopric^ three years, and Aegelbryht obtained
the bishopric of Paris in France, by the Seine.
A.D. 661. This year, during Easter, Cenwalh fought at Posentes-
byrg, and Wulf here, the son of Penda, laid the country waste as far
as Ashdown. And Cuthred, the son of Cuichelm, and king Coen-
byrht,* died in one year. And" Wulfhere, the son of Penda, laid
waste Wight, and gave the people of Wight to Aethelwald king of
the South -Saxons, because Wulfhere had been his sponsor at bap-
tism. And Eoppa, the mass-priest, by the command of Wilferth and
king Wulfhere,' was the first of men who brought baptism to the
people of the Isle of Wight.
A.D. 662, 663.
A.D. 664. This year the sun was eclipsed on the 5th of the nones
of May;'* and Arcenbryht, king of the Kentish-men died, ane}
Ecgbriht,' his son, succeeded to the kingdom ; and Colman,^" with
his companions, went to his country. The same year there was a
great pestilence" in the island of Britain, and bishop Tuda died of
the pestilence, and was buried at Wagele. And'^ Ceadda and Wil-
ferth were ordained ; and the same year archbishop Deus-dedit died.
A.D. 665, 666.
A.D. 667'^ This year Oswiu and Ecgbriht sent Wighard, the
priest, to Rome, that he might there be consecrated archbishop of
Canterbury ; but he died soon after he came thither.
A.D. 667.'* This year "Wighard went to Rome, even as king 0.swi aud
Egbyrht had sent him.'*
A.D. 668.'" This year Theodore was ordained an archbishop/' and
sent to Britain.
' Here ends the extract from E.
* This year ia not recorded in F.
3 See Beda, Ei-el. Hist. III. vii.
* Namely, at Wessex. See Beda, as ahove.
* He was the father of Caedualla, cf Wessex.
e Beda, Eccl. Hist. IV. xiii. 7 11/,^. IV. xvi.
* The date is from E. F., it is incorrect, though borrowed from Beda, fir the
ecHpse occurred on May 1st. See Eccl. Hist. III. xxvii.
" The succession of Ecgbriht i.-s from E.
'" Bishop of Lindisfarne. Sec E. H. III. xxvi.
" The conclusion of the sentence is from E. Tuda was bi.sliop of Lindisfarne;
the place of his burial is unknown. '- E. H. HI. xxviii.
'' From E. and F. See E. H. III. xxix. '* From F.
'* Continued as above, after the word " Rome," a.u. 067, in the text.
>« See Eccl. Hist. IV. i.
" E. F. add that this was done by pope Vitalianus, and from them we have the
concluding clause of the year.
A.D. 075.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, 21
A.D. 669. This year king Ecgbyrht gave Reculver to Bass, the
mass-priest, that he might build a minster thereon.
A.D. 670. This year Osweo, king of the North-humbrians, died,^
on the 15th of the kalends of March [15th Feb.] ; and Ecferth,
his son, reigned after him ; and Hlothere,^ the nephew of bishop
Aethelbyrht, obtained the bishopric over the West-Saxons, and held
it seven years. Bishop Theodore consecrated him. ^And Oswio
was the son of Aethelferth, Aethelferth of Aethelric, Aethelric of
Ida, Ida of Eoppa.
A.D. 671. This year was the great destruction among the birds.
A.D. 672. This year king Cenwalh died, and Seaxburg, his queen,
reigned one year after him.
A.D. 673. This year* Ecgbyrht, king of the Kentish-men, died ;
and the same year there was a synod at Hertford, and St. Aethel-
dryht began the minster at Ely.
A.D. 674.' This year Aescwin succeeded to the kingdom of the
West-Saxons ; he was the son of Cenfus, Cenfus of Cenferth, Cen-
ferth of Cuthgils, Cuthgils of Ceolwulf, Ceolwulf of Cynric, Cynric
of Cerdic.
A.D. 675. This year Wulfhere, the son of Penda, and Aescwin,
the son of Cenfus, fought at Beadan-head ; and the same year Wulf-
here died, and ^ Aethelred succeeded to the kingdom.
^Now, in his time, he sent bishop Wilfrid to Rome to the pope
that then was ; he was called Agatho, and showed him by letter and
by message how his brothers Peada and Wulfhere, and Saxulf the
alDbat, had built a minster, which was called Medeshamstede, and
that they had freed it, against king and against bishop, of all services ;
and he besought him that he would assent to it with his writing and
with his blessing. And then the pope sent his writing to England,
thus saying : —
" I,^ Agatho, pope of Rome, greet well the worshipful Aethelred,
king of the Mercians, and the archbishop Theodore of Canterbury,
and the bishop of the Mercians Saxulf, who was formerly abbat,
and all the abbats who are in England, with the greeting of God and
my blessing. I have heard the desire of king Aethelred, and of
archbishop Theodore, and of bishop Saxulf, and of abbat Cuthbald ;
and it is my will that it be in all wise even as you have spoken.
And I ordain, on behalf of God and St. Peter, and of all saints, and
of every person in orders, that neither king, nor bishop, nor earl,
nor any man have any claim, nor any tribute, geld, or military
service ; neither let any man exact any kind of service from the
abbacy of Medeshamstede. I also ordain that the shire-bishop be
not so bold that he perform any ordination or consecration within
the abbacy unless the abbat beseech it of him, nor have any claim
1 The date is from E., and does not occur in F. See Beda, Eccl. Hist. IV. v.
2 Eleutherius, bishop of Winchester. E. H. III. vii.
* This pedigree does not occur in E. F
* See E. H, IV. v.
^ This entry dees not occur in F.
•^ This concluding clause not in F.
^ The following interpolation is from E.
* See Cod. Diplomat. No. 990.
22 CHURCH HISTORIANS OV ENGLAND. [a.D. C75.
there for proxies, or synodals, or for any kind of thing. And it is
my will that the abbat be holden as legate of Rome over all the
island, and that whatsover abbat shall be there chosen by the
monks, he be consecrated by the archbishop of Canterbury. I will
and concede that whatever man shall have made a vow to go to
Rome, which he may be unable to fulfil, either from sickness or
(his) lord's need (of him), or from poverty, or be unable to come
there from any other kind of need, be he of England, or of what-
ever other island he be, let him come to the minster at Medesham-
stede, and have the same forgiveness of Christ and St. Peter, and
of the abbat and of the monks, that he should have if he went to
Rome. Now I beseech thee, brother Theodore, that thou cause to
be commanded throughout all England, that a synod be gathered,
and this decree be read and observed. In like manner I command
the bishop Saxulf, that even as thou didst desire that the minster
be free, so I forbid thee and all the bishops that shall come after
thee, from' Christ and all his saints, that ye have any claim upon
the minster, except so far as the abbat shall be willing. Now will
I say in a word, that whoso observeth this writing and this decree,
let him be ever dwelling with God Almighty in the kingdom of
heaven ; and whoso breaketh it let him be excommunicated, and
thrust down with Judas and with all the devils in hell, unless he
turn to repentance. Amen ! "
This writ pope Agatho and one hundred and twenty-five bishops
sent to England by Wilfrid archbishop of York. This was done six
hundred and eighty years after the birth of our Lord, and in the
sixth year of king Aethelred.
The king then commanded the archbishop Theodore that he
should appoint a meeting of all the " witan " at the place which
is called Heatfield. When they were there assembled, he caused
the writ to be read, which the pope had sent thither, and they all
assented to and fully confirmed it.
Then said the king : " All those things which my brother Peada,
and my brother Wulfhere, and my sisters Kyneburh and Kyneswith,
gave and granted to St. Peter and the abbat, it is my will shall stand ;
and I will in my day increase it for the good of their souls and of my
own soul. Now, to-day T give St. Peter for his minster Medes-
hamstede, these lands and all that lieth there adjoining ; that is
to say, Bredune, Hrepingas, Cedenac, Swineshaefed, Heanbyrig,
Lodeshac, Scuffanhalch, Costesford, Stretford,Waettelleburne, Lus-
geard, Aethelhun-iglond. Barthanig. These lands I give St. Peter
all as freely as I myself possessed them, and so that none of my
successors take anything therefrom. If any one shall do so, let him
have the curse of the pope of Rome, and the curse of all bishops,
and of all those who are here witnesses, and this I confirm with
Christ's token. »J«" " I, Theodorus, archbishop of Canterbury, am
witness to this charter of Medcshamstcde, and 1 confirm it with my
signature, and I excommunicate all those who shall break any part
thereof, and I bless all those who shall observe it.>J«" " I, Wilfrid,
archbishop of York, I am witness to this charter, and I assent to
the same curse. ^" " I, Saxulf, who was first abbat and am now
A.D. 685.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 23
bishop, I give those my curse, and that of all my successors, who
shall break this." " I, Ostrithe, wife of Aethelred, grant it." " I,
Adrianus, legate, assent to it." " I, Putta, bishop of Rochester,
I subscribe it." " I, Waldhere, bishop of London, confirm it."
" I, Cuthbald, abbat, assent to it, so that whoso shall break it, let him
have the cursing of all bishops and of all Christian folk. Amen !"
A.D. 676.^ This year Escwin died, and Hedda succeeded to the
bishopric, and Centwin succeeded to the kingdom of the West-
Saxons : and ^ Centwin was the son of Cynegils, Cynegils of Ceol-
wulf. And Aethelred, king of the Mercians, laid waste Kent.
A.D. 677.
A.D. 678.' This year the star (called) a comet appeared,* in Au-
gust, and shone like a sunbeam every morning for three months ;
and bishop Wilfrith was driven from his bishopric by king Egferth ;
*and two bishops were consecrated in his stead ; Bosa to Deira, and
Eata to Bernicia. And Eadhed was consecrated bishop over the
men of Lindsey ; he was the first of the bishops of Lindsey.
A.D. 679.*' This )'ear Aelfwin was slain near the Trent, where
Egferth and Ethelred fought ; and St. Aetheldryth died. "And
Coldingham was burned by fire from heaven.
A.D. 680.^ This year archbishop Theodorus appointed a synod at
Haethfield, because he wished to set forth aright the Christian faith.
And the same year Hild, abbess of Streonesheal [Wliitby], died.
A.D. 681.' This year Trumbriht was consecrated bishop of Hex-
ham, and Trumwine of the Picts," for at that time they were subject
to this countiy.
A.D. 682." In this year Centwin drove the Britons to the sea.
A.D. 683.
A.D. 684.'^ Here in this year Ecgferth sent an army against the
Scots, and Brihthis " ealdorman" with it, and miserably they plun-
dered and burned the churches of God,
A.D. 685. '^ This year king Ecgferth commanded that Cuthbert
should be consecrated a bishop ; and Theodore, the archbishop,
consecrated him, at York, on the first day of Easter, as bishop of
Hexham ; because Trumbriht had been deposed from that bishopric.
This year Ceadwalla began to contend for the kingdom. Ceadwalla
was the son of Coenbert, Ceonbert of Cadda, Cadda of Cutha,
Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic. And Mul
was the brother of Ceadwalla, and he was afterwards burned in Kent.
And'* the same year, king Egfrid was slain, '^ near the North Sea, and
a great army with him, on the 13th of the kalends of June [20th
May]. He was king fifteen years, and Aldfrid, his brother, suc-
1 Beda, Eccl. Hist. IV. xii.
^ TMa genealogical information respecting Centwin is not in E. or F.
3 See Beda, Eccl. Hist. IV. xii. * These details are from E. F.
5 From E. « See Ecci Hist. IV. xix. xxi. xxv.
7 E. F. 8 See gccl. Hist. IV. xvU. xxiii. » From E. F.
" Namely, of Wliitern, or Candida Casa.
11 Ascribed by G. to 681.
12 E. F. See Eccl. Hist. IV. xxvi.
!•* As far as " bishopric " from E. '* Eccl. Hist. IV. xxri.
1^ The passage as far as p. 24, note > is from E.
24 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 6So—
ceeded to the kingdom after him. 'Ecgferth was the son of Osweo,
Osweo of Aetheherth, Aethelferth of Aetheh'ic, Aethelric of Ida,
Ida of Eoppa. And Hlothere, king of the Kentish -men, died the
same year. ^And John was consecrated bishop of Hexliam, and he
was there until WiUVid returned. Afterwards John succeeded to
tlie bishopric of " Chester" [York], for bishop Bosa was dead.
Then, after that, Wilfrid, his priest, was consecrated bishop of
" Chester" [York], and John retired to his minster at Derewood.
^This year it rained blood in Britain, and milk and butter were turned
into blood.
A.D. 685.* And in this same year Cutlibert was consecrated bishop of
Hexham, by archbishop Theodore, at York, because bishop Trumbert had
been driven from tlie bishopric.
A.D. 686. This year Ceadwalla and Mul his brother laid waste
Kent and Wight. This Ceadwalla^ gave to St. Peter's minster at
Medeshamstede, Hoge, which is in an island called Heabur-eagh ;
the then abbat of the monastery was called Egbalth. He was the
third abbat after Saxwulf. At that time Theodore was archbishop
in Kent.
A.D. 687. This year Mul was burned in Kent, and twelve other
men with him ; and the same year Ceadwalla again laid waste Kent.
A.D. 688." This year Ine succeeded to the kingdom of the West-
Saxons, and held it thirty-seven years ; and' he built the minster at
Glastonbury ; * and he aftenvards went to Rome, and there dwelt to
the end of his days : and the same year Ceadwalla went to Rome,
and received baptism from the pope, and the pope named him
Peter ; and in about seven days he died. Now Ine was the son of
Cenred, Cenred of Ceolwald, CeoKvald was Cynegils's brother, and
they were sons of Cuthwine the son of Ceaulin, Ceaulin of Cynric,
Cynric of Cerdic.
A.D. 688." This year king Ceadwalla went to Rome, and received baptism of
pope Sergius, and he gave him the name of Peter ; and in about seven days
afterwards, on tlie 12th of the kalends of May^o [20th April], while he was
yet in Christ's [his baptismal] garments, he died ; and he was buried in
St. Peter's church. And Ine succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxou.s
after him, and he reigned twenty-seven years.''
A.D. 689.
A.D. 690.'^ This year archbishop Theodore died ; he was ])is]iop
twenty-two years, and he was buried at Canterbury; and Beorbt-
wald succeeded to the bishopric. Before this the bishops had been
Romans, but from this time they were English.
A.D. 691.
A.D. 692.'^ This year Brihtwold was chosen archbishop on the
* The pedigree whicli follows is not in G.
* See Beda, Eccl. Hist. V. ii. iii. vi. The passage as far as Derewood is from E.
^ F. _ * F. at uote = above.
* The conclusion of the year is from E.
« A.D. 689, G. See Eccl. Hist. V. vii. g
'' As far as "days" from G. and inserted in A.
* E. F.* as far as " days." 'J ¥,. F.
'" This date is not in F. i> As at note " above.
" Reel. Hist. V. viii. The duration of the pontificate of Theodore, and the place
of his burial are from E. F.
'=> E. F. See Beda, Eccl. Hist. V. viii.
A.D. G94.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 25
kalends of July [1st July]; he was before that abbatof Reculver. There
were then two kings in Kent, Withred andWebheard [Suaebhard].
A.D. 693.' This year Berthwald was consecrated^ archbishop, by
Guodun/ bishop of the Gauls, on the 5th of the nones of July
[29th June]. At this time Gefmund, bishop of Rochester, died,
and archbishop Bryhtwald consecrated Tobias in his place ; and
Dryhtelm* departed this life.
A.D. 694. This year the Kentish-men compounded with Ine, and
gave him thirty thousand pounds^ for his friendship, because they
had formerly burned Mul. And Wihtred*^ succeeded to the king-
dom of the Kentish-men, and held it thirty-three years.' Wihtred
was the son of Ecgbryht, Ecgbryht of Erconbryht, Erconbryht of
Eadbald, Eadbald of Aethelbryht.
^As soon as he was king, he commanded a great council to be
assembled at the place which is called Baccancelde, in which sat
Wihtred, king of the Kentish-men, and Brihtwald, the archbishop
of Canterbury, and Tobias, bishop of Rochester, and with them
were assembled there abbats and abbesses, and many wise men, all
to consult about the bettering of God's churches in Kent. Now
began the king to speak, and said, "It is my will that all the
minsters and the churches that were given and bequeathed to the
glory of God in the days of faithful kings, my predecessors, and in
the days of my kinsmen, of king Aethelbert and those who followed
after him, do so remain, to the glory of God, and firmly continue
so to all eternity for evermore. For I, Wihtred, an earthly king,
instigated by the King of heaven, and burning with the zeal of
righteousness, have learned this from the institutes of our fore-
fathers, that no layman has a right to possess himself of a church,
nor of any of the things which belong to the church. And hence
strictly and faithfully do we appoint and decree, and in the name of
the Almighty God and of all saints, we forbid to all kings our suc-
cessors, and to ' ealdormen,' and all laymen, any lordship what-
ever over the churches, and over all their possessions, which I, or
my elders, have formerly given as an everlasting inheritance, to the
glory of Christ and of our lady St. Mary, and of the holy apostles.
And observe, when it shall happen that a bishop, or an abbat, or an
abbess, shall depart this life, let it be made known to the archbishop,
^ With the exception of the notice of Drj'hthelm, which is from D. E., this
year is from D. E. F. See Eccl. Hist. V. viii.
^ Here D. recommences. ^ Goclime, E. F.
* Eccl. Hist. V. sii.
^ F. reads " thu-ty- thousand pounds," both in its Saxon and Latm text;
C. " thirty pounds ; " " thirty men," A. G. ; " thirty thousand," D. E. The reading
of MSS. B. and F. however excessive the sum may appear, has been placed in the
text, because, unlike the "thirty men" of A. G, or the " thirty thousand" of D. E.
it is intelUgible without having recourse to conjecture. The payment, whatever
its amount may have been, was probably the legal compensation for the death of
Mul ... Of the early Latin writers, Ethelweard says, it was 30,000 solidi, " per
siugvilos constanti numero sexdecim nummis;" Florence of Worcester, 3,750
pounds; and Malmesbury, 30,000 mancuses, which, at eight to the pound, would
agree with Florence. — P.
6 See Eccl. Hist. V. xxiii.
' " Three-and-twenty," E. The remainder of the year is not in this copy.
^ From F. See Kemble's Saxon Charters, No. 990.
26 CHURCH historians of England. [a.d. cos—
and by his counsel and advice, let such an one be chosen as shall be
\vorthy. And let the archbishop inquire into the life and purity of
him who is chosen to such a duty, and in nowise let any one be
consecrated to such an office without the counsel of the archbishop.
It is the duty of kings to appoint earls and ' ealdormen,' shire-reeves,
and doomsmen, and the archbishop shall instruct and advise the
church of God ; and bishops, and abbats, and abbesses, priests and
deacons, to choose, and place, and consecrate, and stablish them by
good precepts andexample.lest any of God'sfiockgoastrayandbelost."
A.D. 695, 696.
A.D. 697.^ This year the South-humbrians slew Ostrythe, Aethel-
red's queen, Ecgferd's sister.
A.D. 698.
A.D. 699.^ This year the Picts slew Beorht, the " ealdorman."
A.D. 700, 701.
A.D. 702.^ This year* Cenred succeeded to the kingdom of the
South-humbrians.
A.D. 703.* This year bishop Hedde died, and he held the bishop-
ric at Winchester twenty-seven years.
A.D. 704.'' This year Aethelred, the son of Pcnda, king of the
Mercians, became a monk, and he had held the kingdom twenty-
nine years ; then Coenred succeeded to it.
A.D. 705. This year Aldferd, king of the North-humbrians, died,'
at Driffield, on the 19th of the kalends of January [14th Dec] : and
bishop Seaxwulf. ''Then Osred, his son, succeeded to the kingdom.
A.D. 706—708.
A.D. 709.' This year bishop Aldhelm" died ; he was bishop on
the west of Selwood ; and in the early days of Daniel the land
of the West-Saxons was divided into two bishop-shires, and
before that it had been one ; the one Daniel held, the other Ald-
helm. After Aldhelm, Forthhere succeeded to it. And king
Ceolred succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians ; and Coenred
w^entto Rome, and Offii'^ with him. '"And Coenred was there till
the end of his life. "And the same year bishop Wilferth ^* died at
Oundle, and his body was carried to Ripon ; he was bisliop forty-
five years ; him king Egferth had formerly driven away to Rome.
A.D. 710.''^ This year Acca, Wilfrid's priest, succeeded to the
1 D. E. F. See Beda's eritome. ^ D. E. See Ibid. » D. E. F.
* This is apparently a different and anticipated account of Coenred's succea-
sion, as related under the year 70i; but as these copies there also notice the
resignation of Ethelred, it is retained in the text.— P.
^ See Eccl. Hist. V. xviii. As we know that Heddc died in 705, we hence learn
that the Chronicle here antedates its entries by two years. B. and C. give him
a pontificate of thirty-seven years. " See Beda's epitome.
' The place and date of his death are from D. E. See Eccl. Hist. V. xviii.
8 From D. E. F.
'•' A.D. 708, C. erroneously for 709, and in consequence of this mistake each
succeeding year to 721 has been made one shoi-t by enisure.
'» Aldhelm was bishop of Sherburn, and Daniel, of 'Wiuchcster.
11 Offa was king of the East Saxons.
'- The conclusion of the sentence is from D. E.
'^ To the end of the year from D. E. F.
'* Wilfred, the celebrated bishop of Hexham.
^'^ See Eccl. Hist. V. xx. The entry concerning Acca is from D. !]. F.
A.D. 725.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 27
bishopric which before he had held ; and the same year Beorlitfrith
the " ealdorman" fought against the Picts/ between Haefe and
Caere. And Ine, and Nun his kinsman, fought against Gerent, king
of the Welsh ; ^and the same year Sigbald^ was slain,
A.D. 711—713.
A.D. 714. This year St. Guthlac died, and king Pepin.*
A.D. *715. This year Ine and Ceolred fought at Wodnesbeorg
[Wanborough] . "This year died king Dagobert.
A.D. 716. ^This year Osred, king of the North-humbrians, was
slain on the southern border ; he had the kingdom seven* years after
Aldferth ; then Coenred succeeded to the kingdom, and held it two
years, then Osric, who held it eleven years ; and the same year
Ceolred, king of the Mercians, died, and his body lies at Lichfield,
and Aethelred's, the son of Penda, at Bardney. Then Aethelbald
succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, and held it forty-one
years. Aethelbald was the son of Alweo, Alweo of Eawa,^ Eawa of
Pybba, whose genealogy is written before. And that pious man,
Ecgbryht, converted the monks in the island of Hii to the right
faith, so that they observed Easter duly, and the ecclesiastical
tonsure.
A.D. 717.
A.D. 718.^® This year Ingild, the brother of Ine, died; and their
sisters were Cwenburh and Cuthburh. And Cuthburh built the
monastery at Winburn ; and she was given in marriage to Aldferth,
king of the North-humbrians ; but they separated during his life-
time.
A.D. 719, 720.
A.D. 721.'^ This year bishop Daniel went to Rome; and the same
year Ine slew Cynewulf, the etheling. And'^ this year the holy
bishop John^* died; he was bishop thirty-three years, eight months,
and thirteen days ; and his body rests at Beverley.
A.D. 722.^* This year queen Aethelburh razed Taunton, which
Ine had previously built ; and Aldbyrht, the exile, departed into
Surrey and Sussex, and Ine fought against the South-Saxons.
A.D. 723, 724.
A.D. 725.'^ This year Withred, king of the Kentish-men, died, on**
the 9th of the kalends of May [23d April] ; he reigned thirty-four''
years; his genealogy is above:*' and** Eadberht succeeded to the king-
dom of Kent ; and Ine fought against the South- Saxons, and there
slew Aldbryht,^" the etheling, whom he before had driven into exile.
^ Tho conclusion of the sentence ia not in A. B. C. G.
2 D. E. to the end of the sentence. 3 Hygbald, E.
* These three words from F. 5 ^ jj_ 714^ c_
6 From F. 7 See Eccl. Hist. V. xxii.
* 8, D. ; 4, G. ; more correctly eleven.
9 Eapa. Eapa, G. " a.d. 717, C.
" A.D. 720, C. '-' D. E. F.
" John of Beverly, bishoi^ of York. See Eccl. Hiist. V. vi.
1* Not in F. 15 See Eccl. Hist. V. siii.
" As far as "years," from D. E .F. '^ Thirty-three years, F.
'8 See A.D. 694.
" The succession of Eadberht is inserted in A. from F.
2» To the end of the year from D. E.
28 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENCLAND. [a.D. 726—
A.D. 726.
A.D. 727.' This year Tobias, bishop of Rochester, died, and in
his place archbishop Brithwold consecrated Aldiilf bishop.
A.D. 728.^ This year Ine went to Rome, and there gave (up) his
life, and Aethelheard, his kinsman, succeeded to the kingdom of the
West-Saxons, and held it fourteen years. And the same year
Aethelheard and Oswald, the etheling, fought ; and Oswald was the
son of Aethelbald, Aethelbald of Cynebald, Cynebald of Cuthwin,
Cuthwin of Ceawlin.
A.D. 729. This year the star (called) a comet appeared, and St
Ecgbyrht died^ in li.
A.D. 729.* And the same year Osric died ; lie was king eleven years :
then Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eight years,
A.D. 730.* This year Oswald, the etheling, died.
A.D. 731.® This year Osric, king of the North-humbrians, was
slain, and Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eight
years, and Ceolwulf was the son of Cutha, Cutha of Cuthwin,
Cuthwin of Leodwald, Leodwald of Ecgwald, Ecgwald of Aldhelm,
Aldhelm of Ocga, Ocga of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. And archbishop
Beorhtwald died on the ides of January [13th January] ; he' was
bishop thirty-seven years, six months, and fourteen days. And the
same year Tatwine was consecrated archbishop ; he had been before a
priest at Breodun, among the Mercians. 'Daniel, bishop of Win-
chester, and Ingwald, bishop of London, and Aldwin, bishop of
Lichfield, and Aldwulf, bishop of Rochester, consecrated him on
the 10th of June : he^ had the archbishopric three years.
A.D. 732.
A.D. 733. This year Aethelbald conquered Somerton ; and the
sun was eclipsed,'" and the whole disc of the sun was like a black
sliield. "And Acca was driven from his bishopric.
A.D. 734. This year the moon was as if it had been sprinkled
with blood ; and arclibishop Tatwine and Beda died,'" and Ecgberht
was consecrated bishop.
A.D. 735.'^ This year bishop Ecgberht received his pall at Rome.
A.D. 736. This year archbishop Nothelm received his pall from
the bishop of the Romans.'*
A.D. 737. This year bishop Forthere,'* and queen Frythogith went
to Rome. '"And king Ceolwulf received Peter's tonsure,'' and gave
his kingdom to Eagberht, his uncle's son ; he reigned twenty-one
years ; and bishop Aethelwold and Acca died, and Conwulf was
• D. E. F. See Eccl. Hist. V. xiii. 2 a.d. 726. C. D. E. F.
' T). E. ■• D. E. F. after '. « Not in B. C.
" As far as Eoppa, not in E. F. See Eccl. Hist V. xxiii.
^ The date of his death and the duration of his episcopate are from D. E. F.
* As far as " June " from D. E. F. '■> F.
^'' The remainder of the sentence from F.
" D. E. F. '2 D. E. F. 13 D j; p
" Namely, Gregory III. A Latin addition in F. states that he held his .see for
five years.
'^ Forthere was bishop of Winchester, and Frythogith was queen of Wessex.
'« D. E. F.
'^ Not in F. as far as " twenty -one years."
A.D. 753.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 29
consecrated bishop. ^And the same year king Aethelbald laid waste
the land of the North-humbrians.
A.D. 738. This year Eadbi^ht, the son of Eata, Eata being the
son of Leodwald, succeeded to the kingdom of the North-hum-
brians, and held it twenty-one years. ^ His brother was archbishop
Egbert, the son of Eata ; and they both rest in one porch, in the
city of York.
A.D. 739, 740.
A.D. 741.* This year king Aethelheard died, and Cuthred, his
kinsman,* succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held
it sixteen years ;^ and he contended strenuously against Ethelbald,
king of the Mercians. And archbishop Nothelm died,® and Cuth-
byrht was consecrated archbishop ; and Dun bishop to Rochester.
'This year York was burnt.
A.D. 742.* This year a great synod was held at Cloveshou ; and
there was Aethelbald, king of the Mercians, and archbishop Cuth-
bert, and many other wise men.
A.D. 743. This year Aethelbald, king of the Mercians, and Cuth-
red, king of the West-Saxons, fought against the Welsh,
A.D. 744. This year Daniel gave up the see of Winchester, and
Hunferth succeeded to the bishopric : and" stars were seen to shoot
rapidly ; ^^ and Wilferth the younger, who was bishop of York, died
on the 3d of the kalends of May [29th April] ; he was bishop
thirty years.
A.D. 745. This year Daniel died: then forty-three years'' had
elapsed since he obtained the bishopric.
A.D. 746. This year king Selred was slain.
A.D. 747.
A.D. 748. This year Cynric, the etheling of the West-Saxons,
was slain: and Eadbyrht, king of the Kentish-men, died; '^and
Aethelbyrht, the son of king Wihtred, succeeded to the kingdom.
A.D. 749.
A.D. 750. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought
against Ethelhun, the proud ealdorman.
A.D. 751.
A.D. 752. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, in the
twelfth'* year of his reign, fought at Burford against Aethelbald, king
of the Mercians, and put him to flight.
A.D. 753. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought
against the Welsh.
J D.E.
2 The descent of Eata from Leodwald and the duration of his reign are not
in F. 3 740, C. D. E. F.
* " His kinsman," D. E. * " Twenty-six years," B. C.
6 The notice of the death of Nothelm is from F.
7 D. E, 741.
* From F. The Saxon notices from this time to the year 754 have been
erased from this MS. to make room for the Latin.
9 To the end of the year from D. E.
" Wilfrid the second, archbishop of York, is apparently confounded with the
bishop of Worcester of the same name. The former was succeeded by Egbert in
734. See A. 734 and 776, and Beda, Eccl. Hist. V. xxiii.
" 46, E. See a.d. 703. 12 This is an insertion in A.
13 22 E.
30 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. a.d 7oi—
A.D. 754.^ This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, died ;
and Cynehard obtained the bisliopric of Winchester, after Hun-
ferth : and the same year Canterbury was burned : and Sigebert, his
kinsman,^ succeeded to the kingdom of the West Saxons^ and held
it one year.
A.D. 755. This year Cynewulf, and the West-Saxon " witan,"
deprived his kinsman, Sigebryht, of liis kingdom, except Hampshire,
for his unjust doings ; and that he held until he slew the ealdorman
who longest abode by him. And then Cynewulf drove him into
Andred, and he abode there until a swineherd stabbed him, at Pri-
vet's-flood,^ and avenged the ealdorman, Cumbra.
And Cynewulf fought very many battles against the Welsh ; and
after he had held the kingdom about one-and-thirty years,* he pur-
posed to expel a certain etheling, who was named Cyneheard : and
Cyneheard was Sigebrj-ht's brother. And^ he then learned that
the king with a small band was gone to Merton to visit a woman ;
and he there beset him, and surrounded the chamber on every side,
before the men who were with the king discovered him. And when
the king perceived this, he went to the door, and there manfully
defended himself, until he beheld the etheling, and then he rushed
out upon liim and sorely wounded him ; and they all continued
fighting against the king until they had slain him.
And upon this, the king's thanes having discovered the affray by
the woman's cries, each as he was ready, and with his utmost speed,
ran to the spot. And the etheling offered money and life to each
of them, and not one of them would accept it ; but they continued
fighting till they all fell, except one, a British hostage, and he was
sorely wounded.
Then upon the morrow, the king's thanes, whom lie had left
behind him, heard that the king was slain. Then rode they thither,
and Osric, his ealdorman, and Wiferth, his thane, and the men
whom he had previously left behind. And at the town wherein the
king lay slain they found the etheling, and those within had closed
the gates against them ; but they then advanced. And he then
offered them their own choice of land and money if they would grant
him the kingdom, and showed them that their kinsmen were with
him, men who would not desert him. And they then said, that no
kinsman was dearer to them than their lord, and that they never
would follow his murderer. And they then offered their kinsmen
that they might go away from him in safety ; but they said that the
same had been offered to their companions who before that had been
with the king ; then they said, that they no more minded it " than
your companions who were slain with the king." And then they
continued fighting around the gates until they made their way in,
» A.D. 753, F. 2 « ixig kinsman," D. E.
» See Camd. Brit. col. 195. _ ♦ 21, D; 16, E.
* This tragical story is evidently, from its position, a later insertion. See
Florence of Worcester, a.d. 784. Most of the ancient authorities say that Cyne-
wulf reigned thirty-one years, though they all assign 755 and 784 for the fir.st and
last years of liis reign. Perhaps wo should read twenty -nine; but it seldom
happens that the number of years given in the Chronicle for the duration of a
reign can be reconciled with those marked for its beginning and ending. — /■'.
A.n. 7C3.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 31
and slew the etheling, and all the men who were with him, except
one, who was the ealdorman's godson ; and he saved his life, though
he was wounded in several places.
And Cynewulf reigned thirty-one years, and his body lies at
Winchester, and the etheling's at Axminster ; and their right
paternal kin extends to Cerdic.
And the same year Aethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain
at Secandun^ [Seckington], and his body lies at Repton, and^ he
reigned forty-one years ;^ and Beornraed obtained the kingdom, and
held it a little while, and unhappily. And the same year Offa drove
out Beornraed and obtained the kingdom, and held it thirty-nine
years ; and his son, Egfert, held it one hundred and forty-one days.
Offa was the son of Thingferth, Thingferth* of Eanwulf, Eanwulf of
Osmod, Osmod of Eawa, Eawa of Pybba, Pybbaof Creoda, Creoda
of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomaer,
Eomaer of Angeltheow, Angeltheow of Offa, Offa of Waermund,
Waermund of Wihtlaeg, Wihtlaeg of Woden.
A.n. 755.5 This year Cynewulf deprived king Sigebert of his kingdom ;
and Sigebert's brother, Cynehard by name, slew Cynewulf at Merton ; and
he reigned thirty-one years. And in the same year Ethelbald, king of the
Mercians, was slain at Repton. And OfFa succeeded to the kingdom of the
Mercians, Bernred being driven out.
A.D. 756.
A.D. 757." This year Eadberht, king of the North-humbrians, was
shorn, and his son Oswulf succeeded to the kingdom, and reigned
one year ; and he was slain by his household, on the 8th of the
kalends of August.'
A.D. 758. This year archbishop Cuthbryht d,ied ; and ^he held the
archbishopric eighteen years.
A.D. 759. This year Bregowine was ordained archbishop, at St.
Michael's tide [29th Sept.], and held the see four years. ^And
Moll Aethelwald succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians,
and reigned six years, and then resigned it.
A.D. 760. This year Aethelbert, king of the Kentish-men, died ;
he was the son of king Withred : and Ceolwulf" also died.
A.D. 761.'^ This year was the severe winter ; and Moll, king of the
North-humbrians, slew Oswin, at Eadwin's Cliff, on the 8th of the
ides of August [6th Aug.] '"
A.D. 762.'^ This year archbishop Bregwine died.
A.D. 763.'* This year lanbryht was ordained archbishop, on the
. s sue
^ In Warwickshire. See Camd. Brit. col. 614, where, however, Gibson't
gestion as to the origin of the name is obviously incorrect.
2 The duration of his reign is from D. E. » 40, G.
■* The remainder of the pedigree does not occur in D.
5 From F.
•^ This year is from D. E., and partially from F.
^ 25th July, according to this statement, but a Latin entry in E. mentions thftt
his death occurred on the eighth of the ides of August [6th Aug.].
* F. 9 D_ E. F.
!*> Formerly king of Northumbria, but at the time of his death a monk at Lin-
disfarne. This notice of his death is from D. E.
'1 A.D. 762, C.
12 With the exception of this date, which does not occur in F, this entry
respecting Moll is from D. E. F. " From F.
^* A.D. 762, D. E. F.
32 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 764—
fortieth day after mid-winter/ and held the see twenty-six years.
And Frithuwald/ bishop of Whitherne, died on the nones of May
[7th May]. He was consecrated at York,'' on the 18th of the ka-
lends of September [15th Aug.], in the sixth year of Ceolwulf's
reign, and he was bishop twenty-nine years. Then Pehtwine was
consecrated bishop of Whitherne, at Aelfet-ee, on the 16th of the
kalends of August [17th July].^
A.D. 764.' Tliis year archbishop leanbrylit received his pall.
A.D. 765.® This year Alchred succeeded to the kingdom of the
North-humbrians, and reigned nine years.''
A.D. 766.^ This year died archbishop Ecgberht, at York, on the
13th of the kalends of December [19th Nov.] ; he was bishop
thirty-seven years;* and Frithbert, at Hexham; he" was bishop
thirty-three years ; and Aethelberht was consecrated to York, and
Alchmund to Hexham.
A.D. 767."
A.D. 768.^" This year king Eadberht, the son of Eata, died, on the
13th'' of the kalends of September [20th Aug.]
A.D. 769'*— 771.
A.D. 772. This year bishop Milred died.'^
A.D. 773." This year a red crucifix appeared in the heavens after
sunset : and the same year the Mercians and the Kentish-men
fought at Otford ; and wondrous adders were seen in the land of the
South -Saxons.
A.D. 774.''' This year, at Easter-tide, the North-humbrians drove
their king, Alchred, from York, and took Aethelred, the son of
Moll, to be their lord ; he reigned four years.
A.D. 775.
A.D. 776.'* This year bishop Pehtwin died, on the 13th of the
kalends of October [19th Sept.] ; he was bishop fourteen years.
A.D. 777." This year Cynewulf and Offa fought, about Bensing-
ton, and Offa took the town ; ^"and the same year, on the 17th of the
kalends of July," Aethelbert was consecrated, at York, bishop of
Whitherne.
In" the days of king Offa there was an abbat of Medeshamstcdc
^ The 2d Feb., Candlemas Day. The duration of his episcopate is from F.
2 To the end of the year from D. E. F.
^ E. states that he was consecrated at iElfet-ee.
* As Trinity Sunday fell this year on 17th July, it is probable that this date
is correct.
' A.D. 763, F. This entry does not occur in D. E.
" From D. E. F., with the exception of the notice of the duration of his reign,
which does not occur in F. ^ " Eight," E.
« The whole year is from D. E. F. o 36, E.
*" The duration of his episcopate not in F.
" " Here Charles the Great died." E. Latin.
•- The whole year inserted in A. from D. E. F. " H, E.
'* " The beginning of the reign of King Chai-les." E. Latin.
*^ He was bishop of Worcester.
»« A.D. 774, C. D. E. F. G.
'' D. E. F. Easter-day was on April 3d.
" D E. F. " AD. 775, G.
*" The conclusion of the paragi-aph from D. E. F.
^' 15th June, being the third Sunday after Trinity. -- From E.
A.D. 784.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, 33
called Beonne. The same Beonne, by the consent of all the monks
of the minster, let to Cuthbriht, the ealdorman, ten " bond-lands"
at Swineshead, with pasture, and with meadow, and with all that
lay thereto, and on this condition : that Cuthbriht should give the
abbat therefore fifty pounds, and each year one day's entertainment,
or thirty shillings in money ; and furthermore, that after his de-
cease the land should return to the minster. The witnesses of this
were king Ofta, and king Egferth, and archbishop Hygeberht,^ and
bishop Ceolwulf, and bishop Inwona, and abbat Beonna, and many
other bishops and abbats, and many other great men. In the days
of this same Ofta^ there was an ealdorman who was called Brorda.
He desired of the king, that for love of him he would free a
minster of his, called Wokingas,' because he wished to give it to
Medeshamstede, and St. Peter, and the abbat that then was, who
was called Pusa. Pusa succeeded Beonna, and the king loved him
greatly. And the king then freed the minster Wokingas, against
king, and against bishop, and against earl, and against all men, so
that no one should have any claim there except St. Peter and the
abbat. This was done in the king's town called Freo-ric-burna.
A.D. 778. *This year Aethelbald and Heardberht slew three high-
reeves : Ealwulf, the son of Bosa, at King's-clifF, and Cynewulf and
Ecga, at Helathirn, on the 1 1th of the kalends of April [22d March] :
and then Alfwold obtained the kingdom,^ and drove Aethelred out
of the country ; and he reigned ten years.
A.D. 779.
A.D.® 780. This year the Old-Saxons and the Franks fought ; 'and
the high-reeves of the North-humbrians burned Beorn, the ealdor-
man, at Seletun, on the 8th of the kalends of January [25th De-
cember] ; and archbishop Aethelbert died at York, in whose place
Eanbald was consecrated ; and bishop Cynewulf gave up the bishopric
of Lindisfarne. This year Alchmund, bishop of Hexham, died, on
the 7th of the ides of September [7th Sept.], and Tilberht was
consecrated in his place, on the 6th of the nones of October [2d Oc-
tober] ; and Higbald was consecrated, at Socca-byrig, bishop of
Lindisfarne ; and king Alfwold sent to Rome for a pall, and invested
Eanbald as archbishop.
A.D. 781.
A.D. 782. ^This year died Werburh, Ceolred's queen, and Cyne-
wulf, bishop of Lindisfarne ; and there was a synod at Aclea.
A.D. 783.
A.D. ^784. This year Cyneheard slew king Cynewulf, and was
himself there slain, and eighty-four men with him ; and then Be-
orhtric obtained the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and he reigned
sixteen years, and his body lies at Wareham ; and his right paternal
kin reaches to Cerdic. "At this time king Alhmund reigned in
^ Apparently bishop of Lichfield.
^ See the charter of donation in Kemble's Cod. Dept. No. 168.
^ Woking, in Surrey. See Camd. Brit. col. 182.
* D. E. F. 5 Of Northumbria.
« A.D. 779, D. E. F. 7 From D. E. and (partly) F.
« D. E. F. 0 A.D. 783, C.
^° This sentence is inserted in A.
VOL. II. D
34 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 785—
Kent. 'Tliis king Alhmund was the father of Egberht, and Egberht
was father of Athulf.
A.D. 785. ^Tliis year abbat Botwine died at Ripon ; and this year
there was acontentious synod atCealchythe.and archbishop laenbyrht
gave up some portion of his bishopric/ and Higbert was elected by
king Offa ; and Ecgferth was consecrated king. ''And at this time
messengers were sent from Rome by pope Adrian, to England, to
renew the faith and the peace which St. Gregoiy had sent us by
Augustine, the bishop ; and they were worshipfully received, and
sent away in peace.
A.D. 78G.
A.D. 787. This year king Beorhtric took to wife Eadburg, king
Ofta's daughter ; and in his days first came three ships of North-
men, out of Heeretha-land. And then the reve rode to the place,
and would have driven them to the king's town, because he knew
not who they were : and they there slew him. These were the first
ships of Danish-men which sought the land of the English nation.
A.D. 788. 'This year a synod was assembled in the land of the
North-humbrians at Pincanheale, on the 4th of the nones of Sep-
tember [2d Sept.] ; and abbat Aldberht died at Ripon.
A.D. 789. "^This year Alfwald, king of the North-humbrians, was
slain by Siga, on the 8th of the kalends of October [24th Sept.] ;
and a heavenly light was frequently seen at the place where he was
slain ; and he was buried at Hexham, within the church ; and Osred,
the son of Alcred, succeeded to the kingdom after him : he was his
nephew. And a great synod was assembled at Aclea.
A.D. 790. This year archbishop leanbiyht died, and the same year
abbat Aethelheard was chosen bishop.' *And Osrced, king of the
North-humbrians, was betrayed, and driven from the kingdom ; and
Aethelred, the son of Athelwald, again obtained the government."
A.D. 791. "This year Baldwulf was consecrated bishop of Whi-
therne, on the IGth of the kalends of August" [17th July], by arch-
bishop Kanbald, and by bishop Aethclberht.'^
A.D. 792. Tiiis year Offa, king of the Mercians, commanded the
liead of king P^thclbryht" to be struck off'. ''And Osred, who had been
king of the Northumbrians, having come home after his exile, was
seized and slain, on the 18th of the kalends of October [14th Sept.] ;
and his body lies at Tinmouth. And king Aethelred took a new
wife, who was called Aelffed, on tlie 3d of the kalends of October
[29th Sept.]
A.D. 793. "This year dire forwarnings came ever the land of the
' From tho marf^n of F.
2 Tho death of Botwin is from D. E.
' This relates to Offa'.s toni]if)rary division of the province of Canlerbuiy into
two archbishoprics ; one of which he placed at Lichfield, in liis own kingdom of
Mercia, under bishop Higebryht. — P.
* D. E. F. 5 J) E. p_ 6 D, E, F.
7 Namely, of Cantorburj-. ^ Y). E. F.
9 See A.D. 778. '" D. E. F.
" This was the eighth Simday after Trinity.
'2 Namely, Eanbald, archbishop of York, and iEthelberht, bi.shop of Hexham.
" Of the^East Anglitms. '• From I). E. "* D. E. F
A.D. 796.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 35
North-humbrians, and miserably terrified the people ; these were
excessive whirlwinds and lightnings, and fieiy dragons were seen
flying in the air. A great famine soon followed these tokens ; and a
little after that, in the same year, on the 6th of the ides of January
[8th Jan.], the ravaging of heathen men lamentably destroyed
God's church at Lindisfarne, through rapine and slaughter. ^And
Siga died, on the 8th of the kalends of March [22d Feb.].
A.D. 794. Tliis year pope Adrian^ and king Ofta^ died ; and
Aethelred, king of the North-humbrians, was slain by his own
people, on the 13th of the kalends of May* [19th April] ; and bishop
Ceolwulf and bishop Eadbald^ went away from the land. And Egferth
succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, and died the same year.
And Eadbyrht, who by a second name was named Praen, obtained
the kingdom of Kent. "And Aethelheard, the ealdorman, died on
the kalends of August [1st Aug.] ; and the heathens ravaged among
the North-humbrians, and plundered Ecgferth's monastery, at Done-
mouth ; and there one of their leaders was slain, and also some of
their ships were WTecked by a tempest ; and many of them were
there drowned, and some came on shore alive, and they were soon
slain at the river's mouth.
A.D. 795. ^This year the moon was eclipsed, between cock-crowing
and dawn, on the 5th of the kalends of April [28th March] ; and
Eardwulf succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians, on
the 2d of the ides of May [14th May] ; and he was afterwards con-
secrated king, and raised to his throne on the 8th of the kalends of
June [2Gth May],^ at York, by archbishop Eanbald, and bishop
Aethelberht, and Higbald, and Badwulf, bishops.
A.D, 796. This year Cynulf,^ king of the Mercians, laid waste
Kent, "as far as the marshes, and took Praen, their king, and led
him bound into Mercia, "and let his eyes be picked out, and his
hands be cut off. And Athelhard, archbishop of Canterbury^ ap-
pointed a synod,^^ and confirmed and ratified, by the command of
pope Leo, all the things respecting God's ministers which were
appointed in Wihtgar's days, and in other kings' days, and thus
sayeth : —
"I, Athelard, the humble archbishop of Canterbury, by the
unanimous counsel of the whole synod, and wnth ... of all ... to
the congregation of all the ministers to which in old days immunity
was given by faithful men, in the name of God, and by his awful
doom, I command, as I have the command of pope Leo, that hence-
forth none dare to choose for themselves lords over God's heritage
1 Not in F. See a.d. 789.
2 Pope Adrian I. died 25th Dec. 795. Jaffi^, p. 215.
3 See again under a.d. 796. * This date is from D. E.
^ Eadbald's see is unknown ; Ceolwulf was bishop of Lindsey.
^ D. E. 7 D. E. F.
^ This is the festival of St. Augustine of Canterbury. He was consecrated by
tlie archbishop of York, and the bishops of Hexham, Lindisfarne, and Whithern.
9 So B. C, but A. D. E. F. G. read " Ceolwiilf."
'" B. C. D. E. read, " and the inhabitants of the marsh." The clause is not in F.
" F. supplies the passage as far as " rood-token."
'- The council of Cloveshoe, held a.d. 803.
D 2
36 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 79G—
from amongst laymen. But even as it stands in the writ which the
pope has given, or those lioly men have appointed, who are our
lathers and instructors concerning holy minsters, thus let them
continue inviolate, without any kind of gainsaying. If there be any
man who will not observe this ordinance of God, and of our pope,
and ours, and who despiseth and holdeth it for nought, let him
know that he shall give account before the judgment-seat of God.
And I, Athelhard, archbishop, with twelve bishops, and three-and-
twenty abbats, do confirm and ratify this same with Christ's rood-
token."
^And archbishop Eanbald died, on the 4th of the ides of August
[10th Aug.] of the same year, and his body lies at York ; and the
same year died bishop Ceolwulf ;^ and a second Eanbald was conse-
crated in the place of the other, on the 19th of the kalends of Sep-
tember [14th Augt.]^
A.D. 796. ^This year Offa, king of the Mercians, died, on the 4th of the
kalends of August [29th July] : he reigned forty years.^
A.D. "797. This year the Romans cutout the tongue of pope Leo,"
and put out his eyes, and drove him from his see ; and soon after-
wards, God helping, he was able to see and speak, and again was
pope as he before was. ^And Eanbald received his pall on the 6th
of the ides of September [8th Sept.] ; and bishop Aethelberht' died,
on the 17th of the kalends of November [16th Oct.] ; and Heardred
was consecrated bishop in his place on the 3d^" of the kalends of
November [30th Oct.] ; "and bishop Alfhun died at Sudbury, and he
was buried in Dunwich, and Tidfrith was chosen after him ; and
Siric,^' king of the East-Saxons, went to Rome. In this same year
the body of Wihtburg" was found at Deorham, all whole and uncor-
rupted, five-and-fifty years after she had departed from this life.
A.D. 798. "This year there was a great fight at Hwealleage
[Whalley], in the land of the North -humbrians, during Lent, on
the 4th of the nones of April [2d April], and there iVlric, the son of
Heardbearht, was slain, and many others with him,
A.D. ^'799. This year archbishop Aethelhcard, and Cynebryht,
bishop of the West-Saxons, went to Rome.
A.D. '"800. This year, on the 17th of the kalends of February
[16th Jan.], the moon was eclipsed, at the second hour of the night.
And king I3eorhtric, and Worr the ealdorman, died, and Ecgbryht
succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons. And the same day
Aethclmund, ealdorman, rode over from the Wiccians, at Cyne-
maeresford.*' Then Weoxtan, the ealdorman, witli the men of
' D. R after note'. 2 Of Lindsey.
' The eleventh Sunday after Trinity.
■' D. E. erased in F. Offa's death i.s here described a second time.
•■' See note ' on this page. " a.d. 799. F.
7 Pope Leo the Tbinl. •* D. E. F.
'•' He wa.s bishop of Hexham.
'" We should probably read " tlio fourth," i.e. tbe nineteenth Sunday after
Trinity. " F. »2 Sigeric. F. Eat.
" Sbe was daughter of Anna, king of East Anglia. " D. E.
" A D. 800, F. '6 A.D. 801, F.
'^ Kempsford, in Gloucestershire, or Commerford, in Wiltshire, concerning tbe
claims of which latter place see Camd. Brit. col. 10(5.
A.D. 813.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 37
Wiltshire, met him. There was a great fight, and both the ealdor-
men were slain, and the men of Wiltshire got the victory.
A.D. 801.
A.D. 801. ^This year Beornmod was ordained bishop of Rochester.
A.D. ^802. This year, on the 13th of the kalends of January*
[20th Dec] the moon was eclipsed at dawn ; and Beornmod was
ordained bishop of Rochester.
A.D. *803. This year died Higbald bishop of Lindisfarne on the
8th of the kalends of July [24th June], and Egbert was conse-
crated in his stead on the 3d of the ides of June [11th June]; and
this year archbishop Aethelheard died in Kent, and Wulfred was
ordained archbishop ; ^and abbat Forthred died.
A.D. ''804. This year archbishop Wulfred received his pall.
A.D. ^805. This year king Cuthred died among the Kentish-
men, and Ceolburg, * abbess, and Heabryht the ealdorman.
A.D. 806. ^This year the moon was eclipsed on the kalends
of September [7th Sept.] : and Eardwulf king of the North-
humbrians was driven from his kingdom ; and Eanberht bishop of
Hexham died. Also in the same year, on the 2d of the nones of
June [4th June], a cross appeared in the moon on a Wednesday '"
at dawn ; and afterwards in this year, on the 3d of the kalends of
September,^^ a wonderful circle was seen about the sun.
A.D. 807, 808.
A.D. 809. ^"This year the sun was eclipsed at the beginning of
the fifth hour of the day on the 17th of the kalends of August
[16th Julv], the 2d day of the week, the 29th of the moon.
A.D. 810, 811.
A.D. 812. This year king Carl" died, and he reigned five-and-
forty years ; and archbishop Wulfred and Wigbryht '* bishop of the
West-Saxons both went to Rome.
A.D. ^'813. This year archbishop Wulfred, with the blessing of
pope Leo, returned to his own bishopric ; and the same year king
Ecgbryht laid waste West-Wales from eastward to westward.
^ Here again in MS. D. the same event is twice described, under the years 801
and 802.— P.
^ A.D. 801, C. The numerals in this manuscript originally agreed with the
text; but the rubricator having omitted 801, a later hand has altered the whole
series down to 824, under the erroneous impression, as it would seem, that the
defect should be thus supplied. — P.
^ The date does not occur in F; it is erroneous, the eclipse really occurred on
the twelfth of the kalends of June [21st May].— P.
■* A.D. 802, C. The entry respecting Higbald is from D. E. His death should
apparently be referred to the previous year, unless we read " June " instead of
" July." The 11th Jime, 803, being Sunday, would suit for his consecration.
5 Not in D. E.
6 A.D. 803, C.
7 A.D. 804, C.
8 Of Berkley.
" D. E. F. as far as " died;" the rest of the year from F.
^^ This entry apparently belongs to the preceding year, in which the 4th June
fell on a Wednesday.
^1 F. Lat. here adds that this was on a Sunday, which is correct.
^2 F. 13 Charles the Great died 28th January, 814.
" Bishop of Sherburn. " ^^ gjo, C. ; 815, F.
38 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 814—
A.D. '814. This year the noble and holy pope Leo" died, and
after him Stephen succeeded to the popedom.
A.D. 815.
A.D. ^816. Tliis year pope Stephen died, and ^ after him Paschal
was ordained pope ; ^and the same year the English school [at
Rome] was burned.
A.D. 817, 818.
A.D. "819. This year Cenwulf king of the Mercians died, and
Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom ; and Eadbryht the ealdormati
died.
A.D. 820.
A.D. ^821. This year Ceolwulf was deprived of his kingdom.
A.D. *822. This year two ealdormen, Burghelm and Muca, were
slain ; and there was a synod at Cloveshoo.
A.D. "823. This year there was a battle between the Welsh and
the men of Devon at Gafulford : and the same year Ecgbndit king
of tlie West-Saxons and Beornwulf king of the Mercians fought at
Ellendune, and Ecgbryht got the victor)% and there was great
slaughter made. He then sent from the army his son iEthelwulf,
andEalhstan his bishop," and Wulfheard his ealdorman, into Kent
with a large force, and they drove Baldred the king northwards
over the Thames. And the men of Kent, and the men of Surrey,
and the South- Saxons, and the East- Saxons, submitted to him ;
for formerly they had been unjustly forced from his kin. And the
same year the king of the East-Angles and the people sought the
alliance and protection of king Ecbiyht for dread of the Mercians ;
and the same year the East-Angles slew Beornwulf king of Mercia.
A.D. 824.
A.D. 825. This year Ludeca king of the Mercians was slain, and
his five ealdormen with him ; and Wiglaf succeeded to the
kingdom.
A.D. 826.
A.D. 827. Tliis year the moon was eclipsed" on the mass-night
of midwinter [25th Dec] And the same year king Ecgbryht con-
quered the kingdom of the Mercians, and all that was south of
the Humber ; and he was the eighth king who was Bretwalda.
Aelle king of the South- Saxons was the first who had thus much
dominion ; the second was Ceawlin king of the West-Saxons; the
third was Aethelbryht king of the Kentish-men ; the fourth was
Raedwald king of the East-Angles ; the tifth was Edwin king of the
North-humbrians; the sixth was Oswald who reigned after him ;
the seventh was Oswio, Oswald's brother; the eighth was Ecgbryht
» A.D. 813, C; 816, F.; hut referring to 814.
2 Leo the Third was buried 12th June, 81(3. Jaffo, p. 220.
» A.D. 815, E.; 817, F.; mutilated in C. * Namely, in 817.
* This clause does not occur ui F. The Angle-School was a quarter near
St. Peter's, where the English pilgi-ims at Rome resided. According to Anas-
tasiu.s, they called it their " Borough," (burgus). V. Anastas. Bibliothecar. de Vita
atephani 1 V. — P.
« A.i). 822, F. ; mutilated in C. ' a.d. 820, C.
« A.D. 821, C. » A.D. 822, C.
'" Namely, of Shei-burn.
" The eclipse hapi)eued on the 25th of December, 828. — P.
A.D. S36.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 39
king of the West-Saxons. And Ecgbryht led an army to Dore
against the North-humbrians, and they there offered him obedience
and allegiance, and with that they separated.
A.D. 828. This year Wiglaf again obtained the kingdom of the
Mercians, and bishop Aethehvald ' died ; and the same year king
Ecgbryht led an army against the North -Welsh, and he forced them
to obedient subjection.
A.D. 829. This year archbishop Wulfred" died, ^and after him
abbat Felogild was chosen to the archbishopric, on the 7th* of
the kalends of May ; and he was consecrated upon a Sunday, the
5th of the ides of June : and he died on the 3d of the kalends of
September [30 Aug.].
A.D. 830. This year Ceolnoth was chosen bishop,^ and ordained;
and abbat Feologild died.
A.D. 831. This year archbishop Ceolnoth received his pall.
A.D 832. This year the heathen men ravaged Sheppey.
A.D. ''833. This year king Ecgbryht fought against the men of
thirty-five' ships at Carrum, and there was great slaughter made,
and the Danish men maintained possession of the field of battle.
And Hereferth^ and Wigthen, two bishops, died ; and Dudda and
Osmod, two ealdormen, died.
A.D. 834.
A.D. 835. This year a great hostile fleet came to the West-
Welsh, and they united together, and made war upon Ecgbryht
king of the W^est- Saxons. As soon as he heard of it he went
thither with an army, and fought against them at Hengest-down,
[Hengeston], and there he put to flight both the Welsh and the
Danish -men.
A.D. 836. This year king Ecgbryht" died ; before he was king,
Ofta king of the Mercians, and Beorhtric king of the West-Saxons,
drove him out of England into France for three years ; and Beorhtric
assisted Ofta, because he had his daughter for his queen. And
Ecgbryht reigned thirty-seven years and seven months ; and
Aethelwulf the son of Ecgbryht succeeded to the kingdom of the
West-Saxons;^" and he gave his son iEthelstan the kingdoms of
the Kentish-men, and of the East- Saxons, and of the men of
Surrey, and of the South- Saxons.
A.D. 836. "And Jjlthelstan his other son succeeded to the kingdom of
the Kentish-men, and to Surrey, and to the kingdom of the South-Saxons.
* Bishop of Lichfield. ^ Of Canterbury.
^ To the end of the year from F.
* The date of his election, Sunday, 25th April, is correct ; but not so that of
his consecration, the 5th of the ides of June falling on a Wednesday. We should
probably read " the 8th of the ides of June," i.e. Sunday, June 6th.
5 Of Canterbury. 6 ^.p_ 834, F.
7 Twenty-five, D. E. F.
* Wigthen and Hereferth were successively bishops of Winchester; but as
they both made profession of canonical obedience to archbishop Wulfred between
the years 803 and 829, this was probably a different person. — P.
^ Egberht's accession is invariably placed in the year 800 ; if, therefore, the
length of his reign be rightly stated, his death could not have happened before
837. -P. 1" See nute ^K " D. E. F. after »» above.
40 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 837—
A.D. 837. 'This year Wulfheard the ealdorman fought at
Hamtun [Southampton], against the forces of ^thirty-three ships,
and there made great slaughter, and got the victor)' ; and the same
year^ Wulfheard died. And the same year Aethelhelm the ealdor-
man fought against the Danish army at Port with the men of
Dorset, and for a good while he put the enemy to flight ; but the
Danish-men had possession of the field of battle, and slew the
ealdorman.
A.D. 838. *This year Herebryht the ealdorman was slain by
the heathen men, and many with him among the Marsh-men;*
and afterwards, the same year, in Lindscy, and in East-Anglia,
and in Kent, many men were slain by the enemy.
A.D. 839. "^This year there was great slaughter at London, and
at Canterbury,^ and at Rochester.
A.D. *840. This year king Aethelwulf fought at Carrum against
the crews of thirty-five ships, and the Danish-men maintained
possession of the field of battle. ^And Louis the emperor died.
A.D. 841—844.
A.D. 845. This year Eanulf the ealdorman, with the men of
Somerset, and bishop Ealchstan, and Osric the ealdorman, with
the men of Dorset, fought at the mouth of the Parret against the
Danish army, and there made great slaughter, and got the victory.
A.D. 846—850.
A.D. "85L "This year Ceorl the earldorman, with the men of
Devonshire, fought against the heathen men at Wicganbeorg, and
there made great slaughter and got the victory. '"And the same
year king Aethelstan and Ealchere the Ccddormen fought on ship-
board, and slew a great number of the enemy at Sandwich in Kent,
and took nine'^ ships, and put the others to flight; and the heathen
men, for the first time, remained over winter in Thanet. And
the same year came three hundred and fifty ships to the mouth of
the Thames, and the crews landed and took Canterbury and
London by storm, and put to flight Beorhtwulf, king of the
Mercians, with his army, and then went south over the Thames
into Surrey ; and there king Aethelwulf and his son Aethclbald,
with the army of the West- Saxons, fought against them at Aclea
[Ockley], and there made the greatest slaughter among the heathen
army that we have heard reported to the present day, and there
got the victory,
A.D. 852. "At this time Ceolred, abbat of Medeshamstede, and
> This whole year is omitted in F. ^ Thirty -four, CD.
^ Here begins the fragment of MS. G.
'' E. F. omit the whole of this year. ' Merciaua, D.
'' This year is not in F.
' This is the reading of MS. C. The other reading gives Cwantavic, or S. Josse-
Rur-mer. s a.d. 841, C.
'■' From F. This was Louis le Debonnaire.
" A.D. 853, C. The first sentence of the events of this year is not in F.
" From this period until 887, compare Asser, who has translated and incor-
porated the Chronicle in his life of Alfred. — P.
'- Transpo.'ied to the end of the year in B. C. D. E. F., and partly repeated by
insertion in A. at the end of 845. " Eight, B. C.
" The whole of this year from E. The lea.?e here recited may be seen in
Kemble's Anglo-Saxon Charters, No. 2(37.
A.D. 855.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 41
the monks let to Wulfred the land of Sempigaham, on this condition,
that after his decease the land should return to the minster, and
that Wulfred should give the land of Sliowaforda to Medesham-
stede, and each year should deliver into the minster sixty fother of
wood, and twelve fother of coal,' and six fother of faggots, and two
tuns full of pure ale, and two beasts fit for slaughter, and six
hundred loaves, and ten measures of Welsh ale, and each year a
horse, and thirty shillings, and one day's entertainment. At this
agreement were present king Burhred, and archbishop Ceolred,
and bishop Tunberht, and bishop Cenred, and bishop Alhhun, and
abbat Wihtred, and abbat Werhtherd, and Aethelheard, the ealdor-
man, and Huuberht, the ealdorman, and many others.
A.D. ^853. This year Burhred, king of the Mercians, and his
" witan," begged of king Aethelwulf that he would assist him so
that he might make the North-Welsh obedient to him. He then
did so ; and went with an army across Mercia among the North-
Welsh, and made them all obedient to him. And the same year
king Aethelwulf sent his son Alfred to Rome. Leo ^ [IV.] was
then pope of Rome ; and he |pnsecrated him king, and took him
for his son at confirmation. Then, in the same year, Ealhere,
with the men of Kent, and Huda, with the men of Surrey, fought
in Thanet, against the heathen army ; and at first they were
victorious ; and many there were slain„ and drowned on either
hand, and both the ealdormen were killed. And upon this, after
Easter, Aethelwulf, king of the West- Saxons, gave his daughter to
Burgred, king of the Mercians.
A.D. 854.
A.D. *855. This year the heathen men, for the first time, re-
mained over winter in Shepey ; and the same year king Aethelwulf
gave by charter^ the tenth part of his land throughout his realm
for the glory of God and his own eternal salvation. And the same
year he went to Rome in great state, and dwelt there twelve
months,^ and then returned homewards. And then Charles, king
of the Franks, gave him his daughter to wife ; '' and after that he
came to his people, and they were glad of it. And about two
years after he came from France he died, and his body lies at
Winchester. And he reigned eighteen years and a half. And
Aethelwulf was the son of Ecgbryht,* Ecgbryht of Ealhmund,
^ Petrie leaves this word in its original form, " grscfan," uncertain as to its
meaning; but it doubtless is a weak nouu (grsefa-an), from the verb grafan, to dig.
^ A.D. 754, C. This year is not noticed in F.
^ Here in MS. A. is painted on each side-margin a red cross. Similar crosses
are added on the death of king Efchelbryht, a.d. 860, and bishop Asser, A.D. 910.
A few others in ink have been added by a later hand. — P.
' A.D. 856, C. F. ; 854 G.
' For Aethelwulf's grant, which has given rise to much controversy, see
Asser, a.d. 855; Kemble's Saxon Charters, Nos. 270, 271, 275, 276 ; and Monast.
Anglic, i. 100: and for an examination into the authenticity of the charter,
Collier's Eccl. Hist. i. 156, 157, may be consulted.
* See next page, note *.
^ Aethelwulf married Judith, daughter of Charles the Bald, on 1st Oct. 856,
and died in January (or, as one MS. of Florence of \Yorcester reads, June), 858.
See Asser, a.d. 855. — P.
* To the end of the genealogy is omitted in E. F.
42 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 855—
Ealhmund of p]afa, 'Ea.ia. of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild ; Ingild was
Ine's brother, king of the West- Saxons, he who held the kingdom
Hhirty-seven years, and afterwards went to St. Peter, and there
resigned his hfe ; and they were the sons of Cenred, Cenred of
Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cutha, Cutha of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of
Ceauhn, CeauHn of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa,
Elesa of Elsla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wig, Wig of Freawine,
Freawine of Frithogar.. Frithogar of Brond, Brond of Baeldacg,
Baeldaeg of Woden, Woden of Frithowald, Frithowald of Frcalaf,
Frealaf of Frithuwulf, Frithuwulf of Finn, Finn of Godwulf, God-
wnU' of Geat, Geat of Taetwa, Taetwa of Beaw, Beaw of Sceldwa,
Sceldwa of Heremod, Heremod of Itermon, Itermon of Hathra,
Hathra of Hwala, Hwala of Bedwig, Bedwig of Sceaf, that is, the
son of Noah, he was born in Noah's ark ; Lamech, Matusalcm,
Enoh, Jaered, Mahdahel, Camon, Enos, Setli, Adam the first man,
and our Father, that is, Christ. Amen. And then Aethelwdf's two
sons succeeded to the kingdom ; Aethelbald succeeded to the
kingdom of the West-Saxons ; and Aethelbryht to the kingdom of
the Kentish-men, and to the kingjiom of the East- Saxons, and to
Surrey, and to the kingdom of the South-Saxons; and then Aethel-
bald reigned five years. "Aelfred his third' son he had sent to
Rome : and when pope Leo [IV.] heard say that he [Aethelwulf]
was dead, he consecrated Alfred king, and held him as his spiritual
son at confirmation, even as his father Athewulf had requested on
sending him thither.
A.D. 855. ^And on Ms return homewards he took to (wife) the daughter
of Charles, king of the French, whose name was Judith, and he came home
safe. And then in about two years he died, and his body lies at Win-
chester ; and he reigned ^ eighteen years and a half, and he was the son of
Ecgbryht. And then his two sons succeeded to the kingdom ; Aethelbald to
the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and Aethelbryht to the kingdom of the
Kentish-men, and of the East-Saxons, and of Surrey, and of the South-
Saxons. And he reigned five ycars.o
A.D. 856—859.
A.D. '860. *This year died king Aethelbald, and his body lies
at Sherborne ; and Aethelbryht succeeded to all the realm of his
brother, and he held it in goodly concord and in great tranquillity.
And in his days a large ship-army came to land, and stormed Win-
chester. And Osric the ealdorman, with the men of Hampshire,
Aethelwulf the ealdorman, with the men of Berkshire, fought
against the army, and put tlie army to flight, and had possession
of the place of carnage. And Aethelbryht reigned five years, and
his body lies at Sherborne.
A.D. 861. "This year died St. Swithun the bishop.
A.D. 862—864.
A.D. "865. This year the heathen army sat down in Thanct, and
' The duration of his reign is from B. C. D.
- To the end of the year from F. ^ Read, " his foiu-th son."— P.
* D. E. F., after p. 41, note".
* Nine years, E ; twenty years, F.
•> As at the beginning of the pedigree in the text given aljove.
' A.D. 861, C. F. " F. in continuation of a.d. SiJl.
9 F. •" A.D S6G, C.
A.D. 870.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 43
made peace with the men of Kent, and the men of Kent promised
them money for the peace ; and during the peace and the promise
of money the army stole away by night, and ravaged all Kent to
the eastward.
A.D. ^866. This year Aethered, Aethelbyrht's brother, succeeded
to the kingdom of the West-Saxons : ^and the same year a great
heathen army came to the land of the English nation, and took up
their winter quarters among the East-Angles, and tliere they were
horsed ; and the East- Angles made peace with them.
A.D. ^867. This year the army went from East-Anglia over the
mouth of the Humber to the city of York in North-humbria. And
there was much dissension among that people, and they had cast
out their king Osbryht, and had taken to themselves a king, Aella,
not of royal blood ; but late in the year they resolved that they
would fight against the army; and therefore they gathered a large
force, and sought the army at the city of York, and stormed the
town, and some of them got within, and there was an excessive
slaughter made on the North-humbrians, some within, some with-
out, and the kings were both slain ; and the remainder made peace
with the army. And the same year bishop Ealchstan died ; and
he had the bishopric of Sherborne fifty years, and his body lies in
the town.
A.D. *868. This year the same army went into Mercia to
Nottingham, and tliere took up their winter quarters. And Burgraed,
king of the Mercians, and his " witan," begged of Ethered, king
of the West- Saxons, and of Aelfred his brother, that they would
help them, that they might fight against the army. And then they
went with the West- Saxon power into Mercia as far as Nottingham,
and there met with the army within the fortress ; and besieged them
therein : but there was no great battle ; and the Mercians made
peace with the army.
A.D. ^869. This year the army again went to York, and sat
there one year.
A.D. ^870. This year the army rode across Mercia into East-
Anglia, and took up their winter quarters at Thetford ; and the
same winter king Eadmund fought against them, and the Danes got
the victory, and slew the king, and subdued all the land, ''and
destroyed all the minsters which they came to. *The names of
their chiefs who slew the king were Ingwair and Ubba. At that same
time they came to Medeshamstede, and burned and beat it down,
slew abbat and monks, and all that they found there. And that
place, which before was full rich, they reduced to nothing. And the
same year died archbishop Ceolnoth. ^Then went Aethered and
Aelfred his brother, and took Aethelred bishop of Wiltshire,^" and
appointed him archbishop of Canterbury, because formerly he had
' A.D. 867, C. 2 rpjjQ concluision of the year not iu F.
3 A.D. 868, C. * A.D. 869, C.
5 A.D. 870, C. Thia year is l.Iank in F. « a.d. 871, C.
^ As far as "nothing" from E. ^ This sentence occurs in F. also.
^ F. in the margin.
'" Of this Wiltshire see, nothing occurs elsewhere before the beginning of the
following century. — P.
44 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a D. 871—
been a monk of the same minster of Canterbur)^ As soon as he
came to Canterbury, and was established in his archbishopric, he
then thought how he might expel the clerks who (were) there
within, whom the archbishop Ceolnoth had (before) placed there
for such need ... as we shall relate. The first year that he was
made archbishop there was so great a mortality, that of all the
monks whom he found there within, no more than five monks
survived. Then for the .... he (commanded) his chaplains,
and also some priests of his vills, that they should help the few
monks who there survived to do Christ's service, because he could
not so readily find monks who might of themselves do the service ;
and for this reason he commanded that the priests, the while, until
God should give peace in tliis land, should help the monks. In
that same time was this land much distressed by frequent battles,
and hence the archbishop could not there effect it, for there was
warfare and sorrow all his time over England ; and hence the clerks
remained with the monks. Nor was there ever a time that monks
were not there within, and they ever had lordship over the priests.
Again the archbishop Ceolnoth thought, and also said to those who
were with him, " As soon as ever God shall give peace in this land,
either these priests shall be monks, or from elsewhere I will place
within the minster as many monks as may do the service of them-
selves ; for God knows that I ^
A.D. ^871. This year the army came to Reading ^in Wessex;
and about three days after this, two of their earls rode forth. Then
Aethelwulf the ealdorman met them at Englafield, and there fought
against them, and got the victory : *and there one of them, whose
name was Sidroc, was slain. About four^ days after this, king
Aethered and Aelfred his brother led a large force to Reading, and
fought against the army, and there was great slaughter made on
either hand. And Aethelwulf the ealdorman was slain, and the
Danish-men had possession of the place of carnage. And about
four days after this, king Aethered and Aelfred his brother fought
against the whole army at Aescesdune ; and "^thcy were in two
bodies : in the one were Bachsecg and Halfdene, the heathen kings,
and in the other were the earls. And then king Aethered fought
against the division of the kings, and there king Bagsecg was slain;
and Aelfred his brother against the division of the earls, and there
earl Sidroc the elder was slain, carl Sidroc the younger, and carl
Osbearn, and earl Fraena, and carl Hareld ; and both divisions of
the army were put to fight, and many thousands slain : and they
continued fighting until night. And ^ about fourteen days after this,
king Aethered and Aelfred his brother fought against the army at
Basing, and there the Danes obtained the victory. And about two
months after this, king Aethered and Aelfred his brother fought
* The text of the MS. is here slightly imperfect, and the corresponding Latin
text does not enable us satisfactorily to supply the defect.
2 A.D. 872, C. ' As far as " victory " not in F.
* B. C. D. E. give the remainder of the sentence.
* Seven, G ; hut thi.s number is expuncted in the MS., and "four" jilaccd over it.
" Sec at the cud of the year, p. 45, note *.
' Sec at the cud of the year, p. 45, note ''.
A.D. 875.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 45
against the army at Meretun ; and they were in two bodies, and
they put both to flight, and during a great part of the day were
victorious ; and there was great slaughter on either hand ; but the
Danes had possession of the place of carnage : and there bishop
Heahmund^ was slain, and many good men : and after this battle^
there came a great army in the summer to Reading. And after
this, over Easter [15th April], kingAethered died; and he reigned
five years, and his body lies at Winburn-minster.
^Then Aelfred the son of Aethelwulf, his brother, succeeded to
the kingdom of the West- Saxons. And about one month after
this, king Aelfred with a small band fought against the whole army
at Wilton, ^and put them to flight for a good part of the day; but
the Danes had possession of the place of carnage. And this year
nine general battles were fought against the army in the kingdom
south of the Thames, besides which, Aelfred the king's brother,
and single ealdormen, and king's thanes, oftentimes made raids
upon them, which were not counted ; and within the year nine
earls and one king were slain. And that year the West-Saxons
made peace with the army.
A.D. 871. ^And the Danish-men were overcome: and they had two
heathen kings, Bsegsaec and Healfdene, and many earls ; and there was king
Bagsec slain, and these earls ; Sidroc the elder, and also Sidroc the younger,
Osbern, Frena, and Harold ; and the army was put to flight.''
A.D. '872. This year the army went to London from Reading,
and there took up their winter-quarters : and then the Mercians
made peace with the army.
A.D. 873. ^This year the army went into North-humbria, and
took up their winter-quarters at Torksey in Lindsey : and then the
Mercians made peace with the army.
A.D. "874. This year the army went from Lindsey to Repton,
and there took up their winter-quarters, and drove king Burgraed
over sea, about twenty-two years after he had obtained the kingdom;
and subdued the whole country: and [Burgraed] went to Rome,
and there remained ; and his body lies in St. Mary's church, at the
English school. "And that same year they committed the kingdom
of the Mercians to the keeping of Ceolwulf, an unwise thane of the
king ; and he swore oaths to them, and delivered hostages that it
should be ready for them on whatever day they would have it, and
that he would be ready both in his own person and with all who
would follow him, for the behoof of the army.
A.D. "875. This year the army went from Repton : and Healf-
dene went with some of the army into North-humbria, and took
up winter-quarters by the river Tyne. And the army subdued
the land, and oft-times spoiled the Picts, and the Strathclyde
Britons. And the three kings, Godrum, and Oscytel, and Anwynd,
1 Of Sherborne. 2 Here ends the ft-cagment of MS. G.
^ In MSS. A. B. C. D. a fresh section thus, with a large initial.
* To the end of the sentence does not occur in F.
^ F. at p. 44, note «. e As at page 44, note '.
^ A.D. 873, C. This year does not occur in F.
*• This year does not occur in F. ^ a.d. 875, C.
" F. here ends the year. i' a d. 870, C.
46 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 876—
went with a large army from Repton to Grantabridge, and sat down
there one year. And that summer king Aelfred went out to sea
with a fleet, and fought against the forces of seven ships, and one
of them he took, and put the rest to flight.
A.D. ^876. This year the army stole away to Wareham, a
fortress of the West- Saxons. And afterwards the king made peace
with the army; and they delivered to the king hostages from
among the most distinguished men of the army; and then they
swore oaths to him on the holy ring," which they never before
would do to any nation, that they would speedily depart from his
kingdom. And notwithstanding this, that part of the army which was
horsed, stole away by night from the fortress to Exeter. And that
year Healfdene apportioned the lands of North-humbria : and they
thenceforth continued ploughing and tilling them. ^This year Rolla
overran Normandy with his army, and he reigned ^fifty years.
A.D. 876. 5 And in this same year the army of the Danes in England
swore oaths to king Aelfred upon the holy ring, Avhich before they would
not do to any nation ; and they delivered to the king hostages from among
the most distinguished men of the army, that they would speedily depart
from his kingdom ; and that by night they broke.
A.D. ®877. This year the army came to Exeter from Wareham;
''and the fleet sailed round westwards : and then a great storm
overtook them at sea, and there one hundred and twenty ships were
wrecked at Swanawic. And king Aelfred with his forces rode
after the army which was mounted, as far as Exeter ; and they
were unable to overtake them^ before they were within the fortress,
where they could not be come at. And they there delivered to him
hostages as many as he would have, and swore many oaths : and
then they observed the peace well. And afterwards, during harvest,
the army went into Mercia, and some pai't of it they apportioned,
and some they delivered to Ceolwulf.
A.D. '878. This year, during midwinter, after twelfth night
[6th Jan.] the army stole away to Chippenham, and overran the
land of the West- Saxons, and sat down there; and many of the
people they drove beyond sea, and of the remainder the greater part
they subdued and forced to ol^ey them, except king Aelfred : and
he, with a small band, with difliculty retreated to the woods and to
the fastnesses of the moors. And the same winter, the ])rother of
Inwaer and of Healfdene came with'" twenty-three ships to Devon-
shire in Wessex ; and he was there slain, and with him eight
hundred and forty" men of his army: '-'and there was tjikcn the
1 A.D. 877, C.
2 In illustration of this passage, Petric yjivcs an extract from Anigrim Jona.=i,
and a reference to Bartholinns Be Artiiilli.t, by which it appears that it was
customary among the early Scandinavian nations to give additional sanctity to
an oath by taking it upon a ring, or bracelet, smeared with the blood of the
sacrifice offered upon the occasion.
^ To the end of the year from F.
* The Latin text of E. states that ho reigned fifty-three years.
' F. in continuation after ^, above. "' a.d. 878, C.
^ This clause is not in B.C.
^ The conclusion of this sentence is not in B. C. ' a.d. 879, C.
'" The number of the ships is not given in D. E. " Sixty, B. C.
'- The remainder of the sentence is from B. C. D. E.
A.D. 8S3.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 47
war-flag, which they called the Raven. After this, at Easter [23d
March], king Aelfred, with a small band constructed a fortress at
Athelney;^ and from this fortress, with that part of the men of
Somerset which was nearest to it, from time to time they fought
against the army. Then in the seventh week after Easter he rode
to Ecgbryhts-stane, on the east side of Selwood ; and there came
to meet him all the men of Somerset, and the men of Wiltshire,
and that portion of the men of Hampshire which was on this side
of the sea ; and they were joyful [at his presence]. On the follow-
ing day he went from that station to Iglea, and on the day after
this to Ethandun,^ and there fought against the whole army, put
them to flight, and pursued them as far as their fortress : and there
he sat down fourteen days. And then the army delivered to him
hostages, with many oaths, that they would leave his kingdom, and
also promised him that their king should receive baptism : and this
they accordingly fulfilled. And about three weeks after this king
Godrum came to him, with twenty-nine others, who were of the
most distinguished in the army, at Aire, which is near Athelney.
and the king was his godfather at baptism; and his chrism-loosing*
was at Wedmore : and he was twelve days with the king ; and he
greatly honoured him and his companions with gifts.
A.D. * 879. This year the army went to Cirencester from
Chippenham, and sat there one year. And that year a body of
pirates drew together, and sat down at Fulham on the Thames.
And that same year the sun was eclipsed during one hour of the
day.^
A.D. "880. This year the army went from Cirencester to East-
Anglia, and settled in the land, and apportioned it. And that same
year the army, which previously had sat down at Fulham, went
over sea to Ghent in France, and sat there one year.
A.D. ^881. This year the army went further into France, and
the French fought against them : and then was the army there
horsed after the battle.
A.D. "882. This year the army went up along [the banks of]
the Maese far into France, and there sat one year. And that
same year king Aelfred went out to sea with ships, and fought
against the forces of four ships of Danish men, and took two of
the ships, and the men were slain that were in them ; and the
forces of two ships surrendered to him, and they were sorely dis-
tressed and wounded before they surrendered to him.
A.D. ^883. This year the army went up the Scheldt to
^ See Camel. Brit. col. 74. Here it was that he lost that remarkable jewel,
now in the Ashmole Museum at Oxford, figured in the Philosophical Trans-
actions, No. 260, and in Hickes's Thesaur. p. 142.
- Edingdon, in Wiltshire, Camd. Brit. col. 108.
^ Apparently the removal of the fillet which, covering the chrism on the fore-
head, was bound round the head at confii-mation. — P. The passages collected
by Martene, de Antiq. Ecclesias Ritibus, I. cap. ii. art. III. § xiv. ed. 1 700, establish
the accuracy of this conjecture. * a.d. 880, C.
5 The eclipse happened on the 14th March, 880. — P.
6 A.D. 879, G. ; SSI, C. ^ a.d. 882, C.
*< A.D. 883, C. 9 A.D. 884, C.
48 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. SSI —
Conde, and sat there one year. ^And Marinus the pope then sent
"lignum Domini "- to king Aelfred ; and that same year Sighehii
and Aethelstan carried to Rome the alms which the king had vowed
to send thither, and also to India, to St. Thomas and to St.
Bartholomew, when they sat down against the army at London ;
and there, thanks be to God, they largely obtained the object of
their prayer after the vow.
A.D. 884. This year the army went up the Somrae to Amiens,
and there sat one year. ^This year *the benevolent bishop Aethel-
wold died.
A.D. 885. 'This year the fore-mentioned army divided itself
into two ; the one part went eastward, the other part to Rochester,
and besieged the city, and wrought another fortress about them-
selves. And, notwithstanding this, the townsmen defended the
city till king Aelfred came out with his forces. Then went the
army to their ships, and abandoned their fortress ; and they were
there deprived of their horses, and soon after, in that same manner,
departed over sea. And that same year king Aelfred sent a fleet
from Kent to East-Anglia. So soon as they came to the mouth of
the Stour, there met them sixteen ships of pirates ; and they fouglit
against them, and captured all the ships and killed the men. As
they afterwards returned homeward with the booty, a large fleet of
pirates met them, and then fought against them that same dav,
and the Danish-men had the victory. That same year, before mid-
winter, Charles,*^ king of the French, died ; he was killed by a
wild boar ; and one year before this, his brother ' died : he too
had the western kingdom : and they were both sons of Louis, who
likewise had the western kingdom, and died that year when the sun
was eclipsed : he was son of Charles,* whose daughter Aethelwulf,
king of the West- Saxons, had for his queen. "And that same year
a large fleet drew together against the Old Saxons ; and there was
a great battle twice in that year, and the Saxons had the victory,
and the Frisians were there with them. That same year Charles'"
succeeded to the western kingdom, and to all the kingdom on this
side the AVcndel-sea [the Tuscan Sea], and beyond this sea, in like
manner as his great-grandfather had it, with the exception of the
Lid-wiccas [the Bretons]. Charles was Louis's son; Louis was
Charles's brother, who was father of Judith, whom king Aethelwulf
had ; and they were sons of Louis, Louis was son of the elder
Charles, Charles was Pepin's son. "And that same year died the
' The remainder of the year is from B.C.D.E.F.
^ F. exjilains this as meaning a portion of our LonlV cross.
' The condusiou from MS. F., the Latin text of which reads thus, " Here died
Adelwold bishop of Winchester, and in his place was chosen Alfee, who was
called by another name Godwin."
* The account of the death of Ethelwt)ld bishop of Winchester, here inserted
in MS. F., is anticipated a centurj' by the carelessness of the scribe : the name of
Lis successor in the Latin puts this beyond all doubt. See A. 984. — P.
* Asser omits the events of A. 884 of the Chronicle, and places those of 885
\inder that year. At any rate the foreign transactions are rightly so placed. — P.
The passage as far as " victoiy " is not in F.
« Carloman. 7 Louis ILL « Charles the Bald.
' As far as " Pepin's son," not in E. F. '" Suruamed the Fat.
" This sentence is not in B. C. D. E.
A.D. S90.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 49
good pope Marinus, who, at the prayer of Aelfred, king of the
West- Saxons, freed the Enghsh school ; and he sent him great
gifts, and part of the rood on which Christ suffered. ^And that
same year the army in East-AngUa broke the peace with king
Aelfred.
A.D. 886. ^This year the army which before had drawn east-
ward, went westward again, and thence up the Seine, and there
took up their winter quarters ^near the town of Paris. That same
year king Aelfred* repaired London ; and all the English submitted
to him, except those who were under the bondage of the Danish-
men ; and thfen he committed the town to the keeping of Aethered
the ealdorman.
A.D, ^887. This year the army went up through the bridge at
Paris, and thence up along the Seine as far as the Marne, and
thence up the Marne to Chezy, and then sat down there, and on
the Yonne, two winters in the two places. And that same year
Charles ^ king of the French died ; and six weeks before he died,
Earnulf his brother's son bereaved him of the kingdom. And then
was that kingdom divided into five, and five kings were consecrated
thereto. This, however, was done by permission of Earnulf : and
they said that they would hold it from his hand, because none of
them on the father's side was born thereto except him alone.
Earnulf then dwelt in the land east of the Rhine : and Rodulf then
succeeded to the 'middle kingdom, and Oda to the western part,
and Beorngar and Witha^ to the land of the Lombards, and to
the lands on that side of the mountain : and that they held in great
discord, and fought two general battles, and oft and many times
laid waste the land, and each repeatedly drove out the other. "And
that same year that the army went up beyond the bridge at Paris,
Aethelhelm the ealdorman'" carried the alms of the West-Saxons
and of king Aelfred to Rome.''
A.D. ''888. This year Beocca the ealdorman carried the alms
of the West- Saxons and of king Aelfred to Rome ; and queen
'^Aethelswith, who was king Aelfred's sister, died on the way to
Rome, and her body lies at Pavia. And that same year Aethelred
archbishop of Canterbury, and Aethelwold the ealdorman, died in
the same month.
A.D. '*889. In this year there was no journey to Rome, except
that king Aelfred sent two couriers with letters.
A.D. '^890. '"This year abbot Beornhelm carried the alms of the
West- Saxons and of king Aelfred to Rome. And Godrum the
^ F. does not contain this sentence.
2 The whole of this year is omitted by F.
^ The remainder of the sentence from B. C. D. E.
■* The Latin test of F. here reads, " King Alfred resided in London."
5 A.D. 88S, C.
•' This was Charles, surnamed the Fat.
' Of Burgundy. « Guido.
^ The conclusion of the year not in F. '" Of Wiltshire.
' Here Asser ceases to use the Chronicle. — P. '^ a.d. 889, C. F.
" The relict of Burhred king of Mercia. " A.D. 890, C.
'5 A.D. 891, C.
'" This first sentence does not occur in F.
VOL. II. E
50 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 891—
Northern king died, whose ^baptismal name was Aethelstan ; he
was king AeUVed's godson, ^and he abode in East-Anglia, and first ^
settled that country. And that same year the army went from the
Seine to St. Lo, which is between Brittany and France ; and the
Bretons fought against them, and had the victory, and drove them
out into a river and drowned many of them. ^This year Plegmund
was chosen of God and of * all the people to be archbishop of
Canterbury.
A.D. '^891. This year the army went eastward; and king Earnulf,
with the East-Franks and Saxons and Bavarians, fought against
that part which was mounted, before the ships came up, and put
them to flight. And three Scots came to king Aelfred in a boat
without any rudder from Ireland, whence they had stolen away,
because they desired for the love of God to be in a state of pilgrim-
age, they recked not where. The boat in which they came was
made of two hides and a half ; and they took with them provisions
sufficient for seven days ; and then about the seventh day they
came on shore in Cornwall, and soon after went to king Aelfred.
Thus they w^ere named : Dubslane, and Macbeth, and Alaclinmum.
'And Swifneh, the best teacher among the Scots, died.*
A.D, 892. ^And that same year after Easter, about Rogation
week [29th May], or before, the star appeared which in Latin is
called Cometa ; some men say in English that it is a hairy star,
because a long radiance streams from it, sometimes on the one side,
and sometimes on each side.
A.D. ^"893. In this year the great army, about which we for-
merly" spoke, came again from the eastern kingdom westward to
Boulogne, and there was shipped ; so that they came over in one
passage, horses and all ; and tliey came to land at Limene-mouth
with two hundred and fifty ships. This port is in the eastern part
of Kent, at the east end of the great wood which we call Andred ;
the wood is in length from east to west one hundred and twelve'"
miles, or longer, and thirty miles broad : the river of w'hich we
before spoke Bows out of the weald. On this river they towed up
their ships as far as the weald, four miles from the outward harbour,
and there stormed a fortress : within the fortress a few ceorlish
men were stationed, and it was in part only constructed. Then
> See A.D. 878.
^ The conclusion of this sentence not in F. ' See a.d. 880.
* This conchiding sentence from F. and insei-ted in A.
« A. reads, " and of all his saints." « a.D. 892, C. D.
' " For their fourth companion named Swifneh, who was a most skilful doctor,
died. And in the same year a comet, about the ascension of the Lord." F. Latin
addition. See the Annals of Ulster, a.d. 891.
■* Here ends the first, or original hand in MS. A. The date of A.D. D.ccc.xcil. is
written beneath, and the commencement of the nai-rative of the year follows at
the top of the next page, on the reverse of the leaf, in a fresh hand, which con-
tinues during a portion of 894, and is followftd at intervals by various others. — P.
^ In continuation of the preceding year, B. C. D. The whole year is omitted
in E. F.
'" In JIS. A. this was originally a.d. 892, but it has been altered as the text
now stands, and each successive year to a.d. 923 inclusively has been altered in
like manner.— P. '» a.d. 891.
'2 One hundred and twenty, B. C. D.; one hundred and twenty-four, F. Lat.
A.D. 894.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 51
soon after that Haesten, with eighty ships, landed at the mouth of
the Thames, and wrought himseh' a fortress at Middetun ; and the
other army did the hke at Apuldre.^
A.D. 894. ^In this year, that was about a twelvemonth after
these had wrought the fortress in the eastern district, the North-
humbrians and the East-Angles had given oaths to king Aelfred,
and the East-Angles six hostages ; and nevertheless, contrary to
their plighted troth, as oft as the other armies went out with all
their force, they also went out, either wdth them or on their own
part. On this king Aelfred gathered together his forces, and pro-
ceeded until he encamped between the two armies, as near as he
could have space, for the wood fastnesses, and for the water fast-
nesses, so that he might be able to reach either of them in case
they should seek any open country. From this time the enemy
always went out along the weald in bands and troops, by whichever
border was at the time without forces : and they also were sought
out by other bands, almost eveiy day, either by day or night, as
well from the [king's] force as from the towns. The king had
divided his forces into two, so that one half was constantly at home,
the other half in the fields ; besides those men whose duty it was
to defend the towns. The army did not come out of their stations
with their whole force oftener than twice : once when they first
came to land, before the forces were assembled ; a second time
when they w^ould go away from their stations. Then had they
taken much booty, and would at that time go northward over the
Thames into Essex towards their ships. Then the king's forces
outrode and got before them, and fought against them at Farnham,
and put the army to flight, and retook the booty ; and they fled
over the Thames, where there was no ford ; then up along the
Colne into an island. Then the forces there beset them about so
long as they there had any provisions : but at length they had
stayed their term of service, and had consumed their provisions ;
and the king was then on his way thitherwards with the division
which warred along with him. While he was on his way thither,
and the other force was gone homewards, and the Danish -men
remained there behind, because their king had been wounded in
the battle, so that they could not cany him away, then those who
dwell among the North -humbrians and among the East-Anglians
gathered some hundred ships and went about south, and some
forty ships about to the north, and besieged a fortress in Devonshire
by the north sea ; and those who went about to the south besieged
Exeter. When the king heard that, then turned he westward
towards Exeter with all his force, except a very strong body of the
people eastward. These went onwards until they came to London;
and then with the townsmen, and the aid which came to them from
the west, they went east to Beamfleet. Haesten was then come
there with his band which before sat at Middletun ; and the great
army was also come thereto, which before sat at Apuldre near
Limene-mouth. The fortress at Beamfleet had been before this
' " la this year also died ^Vlferthe archbishop of the Northumbrians." F. Lat.
^ Nothing further occurs in MSS. E. and F. until the year 901.
E 2
52 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 894 —
constructed by Haestcn, and he was at that time gone out to
plunder ; and the great army was at home [therein] . Then came
they thereto, and put the army to flight, and stormed the fortress,
and took aU that was within it, as well the property, as the women,
and the children also, and brought the whole to London ; and all
the ships they either broke in pieces or burned, or brought to
London or to Rochester ; and they brought the wife of Haestcn
and his two sons to the king : and he afterwards gave them up to
him again, because one of them was his godson, and the other
Aethered, the ealdorman's. They had become their godfathers
before Haesten came to Beamfleet, and at that time Haesten had
delivered to him hostages and taken oaths : and the king had also
given him many gifts ; and so likewise when he gave up the youth
and the woman. But as soon as they came to Beamfleet, and the
fortress was constructed, then plundered he that very part of the
king's realm which was in the keeping of Aethered his compater ; '
and again, this second time, he had gone out to plunder that very
same district when his fortress was stormed. Now the king with
his force had turned westward towards Exeter, as I said before, and
the army had beset the city; but when he arrived there, then went
they to their ships. While the king was thus busied with the army
there, in the west, and both the other armies had drawn together
at Shoebury in Essex, and there had constructed a fortress, then
both together went up along the Thames, and a great addition came
to them, as well from the East-Anglians as from the North-
humbrians. ^ They then went up along the Thames till they reached
tiie Severn ; then up along the Severn. Then Aethered the ealdor-
man, and Aethelm the ealdorman, and Aethelnoth the caldorman,
and the king's thanes who were then at home in the fortified places,
gathered forces from every town east of the Parret, and as well west
as east of Selwood, and also north of the Thames, and west of the
Severn, and also some part of the North-Welsh people. When
they had all drawn together, then they came up with the army at
Buttington on the banks of the Severn, and there beset them about,
on either side, in a fastness. Wlien they had now sat there many
weeks on both sides of the river, and the king was in the west in
Devon, against the fleet, then were the enemy distressed for want
of food ; and having eaten a great part of their horses, the others
l)eing starved with hunger, then went they out against the men who
were encamped on the east bank of the river, and fought against
them : and the Christians had the victory. And Ordheli, a king's
thane, was there slain, and also many other king's thanes were
slain ; ^and of the Danish-men there was very great slaughter
made : and that part which got away thence was saved by flight.
When they had come into Essex to their fortress and to their
ships, then the survivors again gathered a great army from among
the East- Angles and the North -humbrians before winter, and com-
mitted their wives, and their ships, and their wealth, to the East-
' One who stands as sponsor at baptism along with another.
* This sentence does not occur in B. C.
•* This clause, as far as " made," is from B. C. D,
A.D. 896.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 53
Angles, and went at one stretch, day and night, until they arrived
at a western city in Wirall, which is called Lega-ceaster [Chester].
Then were the forces unable to come up with them before they
were within the fortress : nevertheless they beset the fortress about
for some two days, and took all the cattle that was there without,
and slew the men whom they were able to overtake without the
fortress, and burned all the corn, and with their horses ate it in
the surrounding neighbourhood. And this about a twelvemonth
after they first came hither over sea.
A.D. 895. And then soon after that, in this year, the army
from "Wirall went among the North-Welsh, for they were unable
to stay there : this was because they had been deprived both of
the cattle and of the corn which they had plundered. ^Wlien they
had turned again out of North -Wales, with the booty which they
had there taken, then went they over North-humberland and East-
Anglia, in such wise that the forces could not overtake them before
they came to the eastern parts of the land of Essex, to an island
that is out on the sea, which is called Mersey. And as the army
which had beset Exeter again turned homewards, then spoiled they
the South- Saxons near Chichester ; and the townsmen put them
to flight, and slew many hundreds of them, and took some of their
ships. Then that same year, before winter, the Danish-men who
had sat down in Mersey, towed their ships up the Thames, and
thence up the Lea. This was about two years after they had come
hither over sea.
A.D. 896. In that same year the fore -mentioned army con-
structed a fortress on the Lea, twenty miles above London. After
this, in summer, a great body of the townsmen, and also of other
people, went onwards until they arrived at the Danish fortress ;
and there they were put to flight, and some four king's thanes were
slain. Tlien after this, during harvest, the king encamped very
near to the town, while the people reaped their corn, so that the
Danish-men might not deprive them of the crop. Then on a
certain day the king rode up along the river, and observed where
the river might be blockaded, so that they would be unable to
bring out their ships. And they then did thus : they constructed
two fortresses on the two sides of the river. Wlien they had
already begun the work, and had encamped before it, then per-
ceived the army that they should not be able to bring out their
ships. Tliey then abandoned them, and went across the countiy
till they arrived at Cwatbridge" [Bridgenorth], by the Severn ; and
there they constructed a fortress. Then the forces rode westwards
after the army : and the men of London took possession of the
ships ; but all which they could not bring away, they broke up,
and those which were worth taking they brought to London :
moreover the Danish-men had committed their wives to the
keeping of the East-Angles before they went out from their fortress.
Then sat they down for the winter at Cwatbridge. Tliis was about
three years after they had come hither over sea to Limene -mouth.
' As far as the word " taken " if? omitted in D.
2 See Camd. Brit. col. 649.
54 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 897—
A.D. 897. After this, in the summer of this year, the army
broke up, some for East-Angha, some for North-humbria ; and
they who were moneyless procured themselves ships there, and
went southwards over sea to the Seine. Thanks be to God, the
army had not utterly broken down the English nation ; but during
the three years it was much more broken down by the mortality
among cattle and among men ; and most of all by this, that many
of the most eminent king's thanes in the land died during the
three years ; some of whom were Swithulf, bishop of Rochester,
and Ceolmund, ealdorman of Kent, and Beorhtulf, ealdorman of
Essex, and Wulfred,^ ealdorman of Hampshire, and Ealheard,
bishop of Dorchester, and Eadulf, the king's thane in Sussex, and
Beormvulf, the " wic-reeve " at Winchester, and Ecgulf, the king's
horse-thane, and many also besides these, though I have named
the most distinguished.
That same year the armies from among the East-Anglians and
from among the North-humbrians harassed the land of the West-
Saxons, chiefly on the south coast, by predatory bands ; most of
all by their " esks,"^ which they had built many years before.
Then king Alfred commanded long ships to be built to oppose the
"esks;" they were full-nigh twdce as long as the others; some
had sixty oars, and some had more ; they were both swifter and
steadier, and also higher than the others. They were shapcn
neither like the Frisian nor the Danish, but so as it seemed to him
they would be most efficient. Then some time in the same year,
there came six ships to the Isle of Weight, and there did much
harm, as well as in Devon, and elsewhere on the sea-coast. Then
the king commanded nine of the new ships to go thither, and they
obstructed their passage from the port towards the outer sea.
Then went they with three of their ships out against them ; and
three lay in the upper part of the port on dry ground ; for the men
were gone ashore. Then took they two of the three ships at the
outer part of the port, and killed the men, and the other ship
escaped; in that also the men were killed except five: they got
away because the other ships were aground. ^They also were
aground very disadvantageously: three lay agroimd on that side of
the deep on which the Danish ships were aground, and all the rest
upon the other side, so that no one of them could get to the others.
But when the water had ebbed many furlongs from the ships,
then the Danish-men went from their three ships to the other
three which were left by the tide on their side, and then they
there fought against them. There was slain Lucumon, the king's
reeve, and Wulfheard, the Frisian, and Aebbe, the Frisian, and
Aethelhere, the Frisian, and Acthelferth, the king's "geneat,"* and
of all the men, Frisians and English, sixty-two ;* and of the Danish-
' This notice of "Wulfrcd does not occur in B. C, D,
* A peculiar kind of narrow and long vessel.
^ This clause of the sentence not in B.
* Lye understands this as meaning "the king's neat-herd;" but "gencat" sig-
nifies a companion, and is probably the Saxon representative of the Latin " comes."
* In Petrie's translation (by a rare error) seventy-two.
AD. 902.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 55
men, one hundred and twenty. Then, however, the flood-tide
came to the Danish ships before the Christians could shove theirs
off, and they therefore rowed them out: nevertheless, they were
damaged to such a degree that they could not row round the
Sussex land; and there the sea cast two of them on shore, and the
men were led to the king at Winchester; and he commanded them
to be there hanged: and the men who were in the single ship
came to East-Anglia, sorely wounded. That same summer no
less than twenty ships, with their crews, wholly perished upon the
south coast. That same year died Wulfric, the king's horse-thane ;
he was also " Wealh-reeve."
A.D. 898. In this year died Aethelm, ealdorman of Wiltshire,
nine days before Midsummer [15th June]; and this year died
Heahstan, w4io was bishop of London.
A.D. 899, 900.
A.D. 901. This year died Aelfred, the son of Aethulf, six days
before ^AU- Hallow-mass [26th Oct.]. He was king over the whole
English nation, except that part which was under the dominion of
the Danes ; and he held the kingdom^ one year and a half less
than thirty years. And then Eadward his son succeeded to the
kingdom. ^Then Aethelwald, the etheling, his uncle's son, seized
the vill at Winburne, and that at Tweoxneam, without leave of
the king and of his " witan." Tlien rode the king with his forces
until he encamped at Badbury, near Winburne ; and Aethelwald
sat within the vill, with the men who had submitted to him ; and
he had obstructed all the approaches towards him, and said that he
would do one of two things — or there live, or there lie. But not-
withstanding that, he stole away by night, and sought the army in
North-humbria ; ^and they received him for their king, and
became obedient to him. ^And the king commanded that he
should be ridden after ; but they were unable to overtake him.
They then beset the woman whom he had before taken, without
the king's leave, and against the bishop's command; for she had
previously been consecrated a nun. And in this same year
Aethered, who was ealdorman of Devonshire, died, four weeks
before king Alfred.
A.D. 902. "And that'' same year was the battle at the Holme,
between the Kentish-men and the Danish-men.
^ D. E. mention in a Latin note, that he died on the seventh of the kalends of
November, which leads us to the same date as is given in the text.
2 " Twenty-eifcht years and a half," D. E. F.
^ The remainder of the year not in E. F.
* The conclusion of the sentence from B. C. D.
5 This sentence not in B. C. D.
•^ B. C. in continuation after.
'' The account of the exploits of ^thelfled, lady of the Mercians, which is only
to be foimd in MSS. B. C. and partly in D., seems once to have existed in a
separate form. The MSS. B. and C. after carrying on the general narrative to
the end of 915, or 918 of the text, return to 896, "(B. by a mistake has 81C,) and
mark blank dates in succession to 901. This is followed by 902, the death of
Ealhswith, &c., and from this point they exhibit the Mercian transactions con-
nectedly to the year 921, and at 924 ap^ain fall in with the general annals. In
MS. D. some of these notices, mostly abbreviated, are intermixed with the text
during the period above mentioned ; but with some variation of chronology, and,
56 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 902 —
A.D. 902. This year Ealhswythi died.
A.D. 903. ^Tliis year died Athulf, the ealdorraan, brother of
Ealhswith, king Edward's mother ; and VirgiHus, abbat of the
Scots; and Grimbald, the mass-priest, on the ^8th of the ides of
July [8th July], ''And this same year was the consecration of
the new minster at Winchester, and 'St. Judoc's advent.
A.D. 904. "This year Aethelwald came hither over sea with the
ships that he was able to get, and he was submitted to in Essex.
'This year the moon was eclipsed.
A.D. 905. This year Aethelwald enticed the army in East-Anglia
to break the peace, so that they ravaged over all the land of Mercia
until they came to Cricklade, and there they went over the Thames,
and took, as well in Braeden as thereabout, all that they could lay
hands on, and then turned homewards again. Then king Edward
went after them, as speedily as he could gather his forces, and over-
ran all their land between the dikes and the Ouse, all as far north
as the fens. When, after this, he would return thence, then com-
manded he it to be proclaimed through his whole force, that they
should return again. Then the Kentish-men remained there be-
hind, notwithstanding his orders, and seven messengers whom he
had sent to them. Then the army there came up to them, and
there fought them ; and there Sigulf the ealdorman, and Sigelni
the ealdorman, and Eadwold the king's thane, and Cenulf the
abbot, and Sigebreht son of Sigulf, and Eadwald son of Acca, were
slain, and likewise many with them, though I have named the
most distinguished. And on the Danish side were slain Eohric
their king, and Aethelwald the etheling, who had enticed him to
break the peace, and Byrhtsige son of Beornoth the etheling, and
Ysopa the "hold," and Oskytel the "hold," and very many with
them, whom we are now unable to name. And there was great
slaughter made on cither hand ; and of the Danish-men there were
more slain, though they had possession of the place of carnage.
And Ealhswith died that same year. This year a comet appeared
on the thirteenth of the kalends of November. [20th Oct.]'*
A.D. '906. "^In this year died Aclfred, who was reeve at Bath.
And in the same year peace was concluded at Yttingaford, even as
king Edward ordained, as well with the East-Angles as with the
North -humbrians.
A.D. 906. " This year king Edward, from necessity, concluded a peace
both with the army of East-Auglia and of North-humbria.
A.D. 907. '"This year Lig-ceaster [Chester] was repaired.
a.s well as in the other ^MSS., with some repetitions, arising apparently from the
use of two independent narrations. These have been distributed according to
the chronology of MS. C. — P.
' Apparently king Alfred's queen, whose death is again noticed in B. C. (whence
this passage) in common with the text, under the year 905. — P.
^ As far as " niass-pi-iest" not in E.
* This date is an insertion in A. * To the end of the year in F.
* Concerning the tran.slatiou of the relics of St. Judoc, see AJford's Annals,
A.D. 903, § 6.
« Not in E. F. ^ b. C. " The date is from D. ' a.d. 907, G.
'» This year is not in F. " From E. " B. C.
A.D. 911.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 57
A.D. *908. This year died Denewulf, who was bishop at Win-
chester.
A.D. ^909. This year St. Oswald's body was removed from
Bardney ^into Mercia.
A.D. 910. *This year Frithstan succeeded to the bishopric at
Winchester : and, after that, bishop Asser died ; he was bishop at
Sherborne. ^And that same year king Edward sent out a force
both of West- Saxons and of Mercians, and they greatly spoiled the
army of the north, as well of men as of every kind of cattle, and
slew many of the Danish-men : and they were therein five weeks.
" In this year the Angles and the Danes fought at Teotanheal on the
'eighth of the ides of August [6th Aug.], and the Angles obtained
the victory. And that same year Aethelflaed built the fortress at
Bremesbyrig.
A.D. *910. ^Tliis year the army of the Angles and of the Danes fought
at Totanhale. And Aethered " ealdor " of the Mercians died '" [a.d. 912].
And king Edward took possession of London, and of Oxford, and of all the
lands which owed obedience thereto, [a.d. 918.] I'And a great fleet came
hither from the south, from the Lidwiccas, [Brittany,] and greatly ravaged
by the Severn ; but they there, afterwards, almost all perished.
a.d. 91 1 . This year the army among the North-humbrians broke
the peace, and despised whatever peace king Edward and his
" witan " offered them, and overran the land of Mercia. And the
king had gathered together some hundred ships, and was then in
Kent, and the ships went south-east along the sea-coast towards
him. Then thought the army that the greatest part of his force
was in the ships, and that they should be able to go, unfought,
wheresoever they chose. When the king learned that, that they
were gone out to plunder, then sent he his forces after them, both of
the West- Saxons and of the Mercians ; and they overtook the
army as they were on their way homewards, and then fought against
them, and put them to flight, and slew many thousands of them ;
and there were slain king '^Ecwils, and king Healfdene and Ohter
the earl, and Scurfa the earl, and Othulf the "hold," and Benesing
the "hold," and Anlaf the black, and Thurferth the "hold," and
Osferth the collector, and Guthferth the " hold," and Agmund
the " hold," and Guthferth.
a.d. "911. Then the next year after this died Aethered, lord of the
Mercians.
> A.D. 909, C. D. F. G. In MS. E. the year is blank. 2 B. C. 906, D.
^ These two conchiding words are not in D.
* The entry respectmg Fi-ithstan and Asser do not occur in F. in its Saxon
portion, but there is a statement in Latin, that " Fridestan received the bishoprick
of Winchester." s tj^j^ sentence is not in F.
6 B. C. 909, D., which latter MS. reads, " Here the Mercians and West-Saxons
fought," &c. ^ The date is from G.
* The brief notices which occur in MS. E. between the years 906 and 918
belong to the years 910, 912, and 918 of the text; but they are here thus run
together. They are found in like manner in MS. D., where they are repetitions.
MS. F. has only the notice which belongs to the year 912, between 909 and 921. — P.
^ The first and second sentences are from D. E.
'" The remainder of the sentence from D. E. F.
" This sentence from D. E. 12 Eowils, B. C. Eowilisc, D.
" B. C, and repeated under A. 912 of the text.
58 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 912—
A.D. ^912. This year died ^A.ethered ealdorman of the Mer-
cians ; and king Edward took possession of London and of Oxford,
and of all the lands which owed obedience thereto. *This year
Aethelfled lady of the Mercians came to Scaergate on the holy eve,
" Invention of the Holy Cross," and there built the fortress ; and
the same year, that at Bridgenorth.
A.D. 913. In this year, about* Martinmas, king Edward com-
manded the northern fortress to be built at Hertford, between the
Memera, the Benefica, and the Lea. And then after that, during
the summer, between Rogation-days [3d May], and midsummer,
king Edward went with some of his auxiliaries to Maldon in Essex,
and there encamped, whilst the fortress at Witham was wrought
and built ; and a good part of the people who were before under
the dominion of the Danish-men submitted to him : and in the
meanwhile some part of his assistants constructed the fortress at
Hertford, on the south side of the Lea. 'This year, by the help of
God, Aethelfled, lady of the Mercians, went with all the Mercians
to Tamworth, and there built the fortress early in the summer; and
after this, before Lammas [1st Aug.], that at Stafford.
A.D. 914. "Then after this, in the next year, that at Eadesbyrig,
early in the summer ; and afterwards, in the same year, late in
har\'est, that at Warwick.
A.D. 915. 'Then after this, in the next year, after midwinter,
that at Cyric-byrig, and that at Weard-byrig : and that same yeai-,
before Midwinter, that at Rumcofa.
A.D. 951. s-piiis year was Warwick built.'
A.D. 916. '"This year abbat Ecgbriht was guiltlessly slain, before
Midsummer, on the sixteenth of the kalends of July: the same day
was the feast of the martyr St. Ciricius and his fellows [16th June].
And about three days after this, Aethelfled sent her forces among
the Welsh, and stormed Brecenan-mere, and there "took the king's
wife, and some four-and-thirty persons.
A.D. ''917. In this year, after Easter [13th April], the army rode
forth from Northampton and Leicester, and broke the peace, and
slew many men at Hocneratun, and there about. And then very
speedily after that, when the one came home, then they got readv
another troop which rode out against Lygton : and then the in-
habitants were aware of them, and fought against them, and put
them to full flight, and retook all which they had seized, and also a
great portion of their horses and of their weapons. '^This year,
before Lammas, Aethelflaed, lady of the Mercians, God helping her,
got possession of the fortress which is called Derby, with all that
» C. D. G. 911, A. by repetition. 2 yEthelred, D.
' B. C. to the end of the year.
* riorence of Worcester seems to xniderstand this as relating to the festival of
St. Martin of Tours, 11th Nov., and places Maldon, &c. as well as the events of
91 7 of the text, under the year 914.— P. » B. C. D.
0 B. C. for the whole of the year. ^ g. c. as above. « D.
" Continued at the passage a.d. 918, "In this year a gi-eat fleet came over
hither." '» B. C. for the whole year.
" The text is here incorrect, and has been amended in accordance with the
readings of Florence of Worce.ster and Henry of Huntingdon.
'-' A.D. 914, CD. " B. CD. 917.
A.D. 918.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 59
owed obedience thereto ; and there also were slain, within the
gates, four of her thanes, which to her was a cause of sorrow.
A.D. 918. ^This year, in the early part of the year, by God's
help, she peacefully got into her power the fortress at Leicester,
and the greater part of the army which owed obedience thereto
became subject to her ; and the people of York had also covenanted
with her, some having given a pledge, and some having bound
themselves by oath, that they would be at her command. ^In this
year a great fleet came over hither from the south, from the
Lidwiccas [Brittany], and with it two earls, Ohtor and Hroald :
and they went west about till they arrived within the mouth of the
Severn, and they spoiled the North -Welsh everywhere by the sea-
coast where they then pleased. And in Ircingfield they took bishop
Cameleac,' and led him with them to their ships ; and then king
Edward ransomed him aftenvards with forty pounds. Then after
that, the whole army landed, and would have gone once more to
plunder about Ircingfield. Then met them the men of Hereford
and of Gloucester, and of the nearest towns, and fought against
them and put them to flight, and slew the earl Hroald, and a
brother of Ohter the other earl, and many of the army, and drove
them into an inclosure, and there beset them about, until they
delivered hostages to them that they would depart from king
Edward's dominion. And the king had so ordered it that his
forces sat down against them on the south side of Severn-mouth,
from the Welsh coast westward, to the mouth of the Avon east-
ward ; so that on that side they durst not anywhere attempt the
land. Then, nevertheless, they stole away by night on some two
occasions ; once, to the east of Watchet, and another time to
Portlock. But they were beaten on every turn, so that few of
them got away, except those alone who there swam out to the
ships. And then they sat down, out on the island of Bradanrelice,
[Flat-holme], until such time as they were quite destitute of food ;
and many men died of hunger, because they could not obtain any
food. Then they went thence to Deomod [S. Wales], and then
out to Ireland : and this was during harvest. And then after that,
in the same year, before IVIartinmas, king Edward went with his
forces to Buckingham, and there sat down four weeks ; and, ere he
went thence, he erected both the forts on either side of the river.
And Thurkytel the earl sought to him to be his lord, and all the
" holds," and almost all the chief men who owed obedience to
Bedford, and also many of those who owed obedience to North-
ampton.
A.D. ^918. But very shortly after they had become so, she died at Tam-
worth, twelve days before Midsummer [12th June], the eighth year of her
' As far as " command" is from B. C. D.
2 A.D. 915, C. D. The arrival of the fleet from Brittany is placed under the
year 915 by Florence of Worcester, in common with the MSS. C. and D. The
dates which occasionally occur in B. seem to agi-ee with C, but as they are
ambiguously placed, it has not been deemed necessary further to notice them. — P
^ He was bishop of Llandaff ; see Godwyn, p. 598.
■' B. C. D. in continuation after the word "command," a.d. 918, in the text,
p. 59, 1. 8. The death of ^thelflasd, but connected with different circumstances, is
60 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 918—
having rule and right lordship over the Mercians ; and her body lies at
Gloucester, within the east porch of St.Peter's church. [See end of a.d. 922.]
A.D. 918. 'This year died Ethellied the lady of the Mercians.
A.D. 919. "In this year, before Martinmas, king Edward went
with his forces to Bedford, and gained the town ; and almost all
the townsmen who formerly dwelt there submitted to him : and he
sat down there four weeks, and commanded the town to be built
on the south side of the river before he went thence.
A.D. 919. ' This year also the daughter of Aethored, lord of the Mercians,
was deprived of all dominion over the Mercians, and carried into Wessex,
three weeks before mid-winter : she was called Aelfwyn.
A.D. 920. *In this year, before Midsummer, jcing Edward went
to Maldon, and built the town, and fortified it before he departed
thence. And that same year Thurkytel the earl went over sea into
France, together with such men as would follow him, with the
peace and aid of king Edward.
A.D. 921. ^In this year, before Easter [1st April], king Edward
gave orders to take possession of the town at Towcester, and to
fortify it. And again, after that, in the same year, during Rogation
days [7th May], he commanded the town at Wigmore to be built.
That same summer, between Lammas [1st Aug.] and Midsummer,
the army from Northampton and from Leicester, and thence north,
broke the peace, and went to Towcester, and fought against the
town the whole day ; and they thought that they should be able to
take it by storm. But, nevertheless, the people who were within
defended it until a larger force came to them : and then they departed
from the town and went away. Then, again ver}^ soon after that,
they went out once more by night with a predatoiy band, and
came upon men who were unprepared, and took no small number
as well of men as of cattle, between Burnewood and Aylesbuiy.
At that same time went out the army from Huntingdon and from
the East-Angles, and constructed the fortress at Temesford, and
abode and built there ; and forsook the other at Huntingdon, and
thought tliat from thence they could, by warfare and hostility, get
more of the land again. And they went forth until they arrived at
Bedford : and then the men who were there within went out
against them, and fought with them and put them to flight, and
slew a good part of them. Then again, after that, a large army
once more drew together from East-Anglia and from Mercia, and
went to the town at Wigingamcre, and beset it round about, and
described under the year 922 of the text ; it is, therefore, here necessarily sepa-
rated from the other Mercian notices of the MSS. B. C. and D., although it is by
no means certain that the date of 922 is right. For it is to be observed that
these MSS. place the death of Etheh-ed her hu.sband under the year 911 or 912 ;
that Florence of Worcester and the text also place it under 912, that these MSS.
as well as Florence say she died in the eighth year of her government, and that
Henry of Huntingdon has the like interval between these events. To this may
be added, that Ethelweard, the Cambrian Annals, and the Annals of Ulster,
assign her death to the year 917 or 918. — P.
> From E. =» Not in B. C. D. E.
^ B. C. D. The occupation of Mercia by Edward is placed under the year 922
in the text.— P. * Not in B. C. D. E.
* Excepting the two concluding sentences the subject-matter of this year is
not found in B. C. D. E. F.
A.D. 921.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 61
fought against it the greater part of the day, and took the cattle
thereabout. And nevertheless, the men who were within the town
defended it ; and then the army left the town and went away.
Then, after that, in the same summer, much people, within king
Edward's dominion, drew together out of the nearest towns, who
could go thither, and went to Temesford, and beset the town, and
fought against it till they took it by storm, and slew the king, and
Toglos the earl, and Manna the earl, his son, and his brother, and
all those who were there within and would defend themselves ;
and took the others, and all that was therein. Then, very soon
after this, much people drew together during harvest, as well from
Kent as from Surrey and from Essex, and from each of the nearest
towns, and went to Colchester, and beset the town, and fought
against it until they mastered it, and slew all the people there
within, and took all that was there, except the men who fled away
over the wall. Then after that, once again during the same harvest,
a large army drew together out of East-Anglia, as well of the land-
force as of the pirates whom they had enticed to their aid ; and
they thought that they should be able to avenge their wrongs. And
they went to Maldon, and beset the town, and fought against it
till more aid came to the help of the townsmen from without ; and
then the army left the town and went away. And then the men
from the town went out after them, and those also who came from
without to their aid ; and they put the army to flight, and slew
many hundreds of them, as well of the pirates as of the others.
Then, very shortly after, during the same harvest, king Edward
went with the forces of the West- Saxons to Passaham, and sat down
there while they encompassed the town at Towcester with a stone
wall. And Thurferth the earl, and the captains, and all the army
which owed obedience to Northampton, as far north as the Welland,
submitted to him, and sought to him to be their lord and protector.
And when one division of the forces went home, then another went
out, and took possession of the town of Huntingdon, and repaired
and rebuilt it, by command of king Edward, where it had been
previously demolished ; and all who were left of the inhabitants of
that country submitted to king Edward, and sought his peace and
his protection. And after this, still in the same year, before
Martinmas, king Edward went with the forces of the West- Saxons
to Colchester, and repaired the town, and rebuilt it where it had
been before broken down ; and much people submitted to him, as
well among the East-Anglians as among the East- Saxons, who
before were under the dominion of the Danes. And all the army
among the East-Anglians swore union with him, that they would
all that he would, and would observe peace towards all to which
the king should grant his peace, both by sea and by land. And the
army which owed obedience to Cambridge chose him specially to
be their lord and protector ; and confirmed it with oaths, even as
he then decreed it. ^This year king Edward built the town at
Cledemouth. -This year king Sihtric slew Niel his brother.
^ This sentence from C. D. 2 -pi^ig sentence from E. F.
G2 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 922—
A.D. '922. In this year, between Rogation days [27th May]
and Midsummer, king Edward went with his forces to Stamford,
and commanded the town to be built upon the south side of the
river : and all the people which owed obedience to the northern
town submitted to him, and sought to him to be their lord. And
then, during the sojourn which he there made, Aethelflaed his
sister died there, at Tamworth, twelve days before Midsummer
[12th June]. And then he took possession of the town at Tam-
worth ; and all the people of the land of Mercia, who before were
subject to Aethelflaed, submitted to him ; and the kings of the
Norlh-Welsh, Howel, and Cledauc, and Jeothwel, and all the
North-Welsh race, sought to him to be their lord. Then went he
thence to Nottingham and took possession of the tow^n, and com-
manded it to be repaired and occupied as well by English as by
Danes. And all the people who were settled in Mercia, as well
Danish as English, submitted to him.
A.D. 923. "In this year, after harvest, king Edward went wdth
his forces to Thelwall, and commanded the town to be built, and
occupied, and manned ; and commanded another force also of
Mercians, the while that he sat there, to take possession of Man-
chester in North-humbria, and repair and man it. ^This year died
archbishop Plegmund. ^This year king Regnold won York.
A.D. 924. ^In this year, before Midsummer, king Edward went
with his forces to Nottingham, and commanded the town to be
built on the south side of the river, over against the other, and the
bridge over the Trent, between the two towns : and then he went
thence into Peakland, to Bakecanwell, and commanded a town to
be built nigh thereunto, and manned. And then chose him for
father and for lord, the king of the Scots and the wdiole nation of
the Scots, and Regnald, and the son of Eadulf, and all those who
dwell in North-humbria, as well English as Danes, and North-men
and others, and also the king of the Strath-clyde Britons, and all
the Strath-clyde Britons.
A.D. 924. •'This year Edward was chosen for father and for lord by the
king of the Scots, and by the Scots, and king Kegnold, and by all the North-
humbrians, and also the king of the Strath-clyde Britons, and by all the
Strath-clyde Britons.
A.D. 924. ' This year king Edward died among the Mercians at Feamdun ;
and very shortly, about sixteen days after this, Aelfweard his son died at
Oxford ; and their bodies lie at Winchester. And AetheLstau was chosen
king by the Mercians, and consecrated at Kingston. And he gave his sister
to Ofsae [Otho], son of the king of the Old-Saxons.
A.D. *925. This year king Edward died, and Aethelstan his son
succeeded to the kingdom. ''And St. Dunstan was born : and
Wulfhelm succeeded to the archbishopric of Canterbury. '"This
year king Aethelstan and Sihtric king of the North-lunnbrians came
' B. C. D. E. F. do not give the contents of this year.
"^ The whole sentence absent from B. C. D. E. F.
3 To the end of the year inserted in A. ■• D. E. F.
'•• Not in B. C. D. E. to the end of the year. ^ From F.
7 B. C. D. * A.D. 924, E.
'•' This sentence is from F. and inserted in A. " From D.
A.D. 937.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 63
together at Tamworth, on the third of the kalends of Februaiy
[30th Jan.]; and Aethelstan gave him his sister.
A.D. 925. ' This year bishop Wiilf helm was consecrated. And that same
year king Edward died.
A.D. 926. ^This year fiery hghts appeared in the north part of
the heavens. And Sihtric perished : and king Aethelstan obtained
the kingdom of the North-humbrians. And he ruled all the kings
who were in this island : first, Huwal king of the West-Welsh ;
and Constantine king of the Scots ; and Uwen king of the people
of Guent ; and Ealdred, son of Ealdulf, of Bambrough : and they
confirmed the peace by pledge, and by oaths, at the place which is
called Eamot, on the 4th of the ides of July [12th July] ; and they
renounced all idolatry, and after that submitted to him in peace.
A.D. 927. ^This year king Aethelstan expelled king Guthfrith.
And this year archbishop Wulfhelm went to Rome.
A.D. 928. * William succeeded to Normandy, and held it fifteen
years.
A.D. 929, 930.
A.D. 931. ^Tliis year Byrnstan was ordained bishop of Win-
chester on the 4th of the kalends of June ; ® and he held the
bishopric two years and a half.
A.D. 931. '"This year died Frithestan bishop of Winchester, and Byrnstan
was blessed in his place.
A.D. 932. *This year died bishop Frythestan.
A.D. 933. 'This year Aedwine the etheling was drowned at sea.
This year king Aethelstan went into Scotland, as well with a land
army as with a fleet, and ravaged a great part of it. And bishop
Byrnstan died at Winchester on the feast of All-Hallows [1st Nov.]
A.D. "934. "This year bishop Aelfheah succeeded to the
bishopric of Winchester.
A.D. 935, 936.
A.D. 937.
Here king Aethelstan, the children of Eadward,
of earls the lord, such was their noble nature
of heroes the bracelet-giver, from their ancestors,
and his brother also, that they in battle oft
Eadmund etheling, 'gainst every foe
very illustrious chieftain the land defended,
in battle fought hoard and homes,
with the edges of swords The foe they crushed,
near Brunanburh. the Scottish people
The board -walls they clove, and the shipmen
they hewed the high lindens, fated fell,
with the relics of hammers^" The field became slippery
1 From CD. 2 The whole of the year is from D.
3 From E. F. * F ^ ^^t j^-^ g c. D. E.
« As this date [29th May] fell this year upon the festival of "WTiit-Sunday, it is
probably corrrect.
' F. 8 N-Qt in B. C. D. E.
3 A.D. 934, B. C. D. E. F. excepting the last sentence in the year.
1" A.D. 935, F. 11 Not iu B. C. D. E.
^2 A poetical circumlocution for swords.
64
with warriors' blood,
since the sun up
at morning-tide,
mighty planet,
ghded over the deeps,
God's bright candle,
the eternal Lord's,
till the noble creature
sank to her rest.
There lay many a warrior
pierced with javelins ;
northern men
over shield shot ;
so the Scots eke,
weary, satiated with war.
The West- Saxons onwarcJs
throughout the day,
in chosen bands,
pursued the footsteps
to the loathed nations.
They hewed the fugitives
from behind, exceedingly,
with swords mill-sharp.
The Mercians refused not
the hard hand-play
to any of the heroes
who with Anlaf,
over the ocean,
in the ship's bosom,
this land sought
fated to the tight.
Five lay
on the battle -stead,
youthful kings,
put to sleep by swords :
so seven also
of Anlaf's eorls ;
of the army countless,
shipmen and Scots.
There was made to flee
the North-men's chieftain,
by need constrained,
to the ship's prow
with a little band.
The bark drove afloat :
the king departed
on the fallow flood.
Ills life he preserved.
So tlicre also the sage
came by flight
to his country north.
CHURCH HISTORI.\NS OF ENGLAND.
[a.d. 937—
Constantine.
llie hoar)" warrior
had no cause to exult
in the communion of swords.
Here was liis kindred band
of friends o'erthrown
on the meeting of the people,
in battle slain ;
and his son he left
on the slaughter-place,
mangled with wounds,
the young man in the fight :
he had no cause to boast,
that hero grizzly-haired,
of the bill-clashing,
the old deceiver ;
nor Anlaf the more,
with the remnant of their armies ;
they had no cause to laugh
that they in war's works
the better men were
in the battle -stead,
at the conflict of banners,
meeting of spears,
concourse of men,
traffic of weapons ;
that they on the slaughter-field
with Edward's
offspring played.
The North-men departed
in their nailed barks ;
bloody relic of darts,
on Dinnes-mere (?)
o'er the deep water .
Dublin to seek,
again Ireland,
shamed in mind.
So too the brothers,
l)oth together,
king and etheling,
their country sought,
the West-Saxons' land,
in the war exulting.
They left behind them,
the corse to devour,
the dun kite
and the swarthy raven
with horned nib,
and the dusky " pada,"
erne white-tailed,
the corse to enjoy.
A.D. 942.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 65
the greedy war-hawk, old writers,
and the grey beast, since from the east hither,
wolf of the wood. Angles and Saxons
Carnage greater has not been came to land,
in this island , o'er the broad seas
ever yet Britain sought,
of people slain, proud war-smiths,
before this, the Welsh o'ercame,
by edges of the sword, earls most bold,
as books us say, this earth obtained.
A.D. 937. ^ This year king Aethelstan and Eadmund his brother led a force
to Bruuan-byri, and there fought against Anelaf ; and, Christ helping, had
the victory : and they there slew five kings and seven earls.
A.D. 938, 939.
A.D. ^940. This year king Aethelstan died, at Gloucester,^ on
the 6th of the kalends of November [27th Oct.], about forty-one*
years, except one day, after king Aelfred died. And Eadmund the
etheling, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom, and he was then
eighteen years of age : and king Aethelstan reigned fourteen years
and ten weeks. °Then was Wulfelm archbishop in Kent.
A.D. ''941. 'This year the North-humbrians were false to their
plighted troth, and chose Anlaf of Ireland to be their king.
** Here Edmund king, so Stamford eke,
ruler of Angles, and Derby,
protector of his kindred, to Danes were erewhile,
Mercia obtained, under North-men,
dear deed-doer, by need constrained,
as the Dor flows, of heathen men
course of the White-well, in captive chains,
and Humber's river, a long time ;
broad sea-stream. until he again redeemed them.
Five towns, for his worthiness,
Leicester, the bulwark of warriors,
and Lincoln, offspring of Edward,
and Nottingham Edmund king.
A.D. 9941. This year king Eadmund received king Anlaf at baptism ; and
that same year, a good long space after, he received king Regnold at the
bishop's hands.
A.D. 942. ^"This year king Anlaf* died.
^ From E. and F., the latter of wliich ascribes this entry to A.D. 93S.
2 A.D. 941, G. ; and so originally A.
^ The place of his death is not specified in E. F. * Forty, B. C. D.
^ This last sentence is inserted in A.
" A.D. 942, G. ; and so originally A.
7 The first sentence is from D. 8 j^^ 942, C. D.
8 A. G. 94.3, B. C. In MSS. A. and G. this follows the verses uninterruptedly,
so as to make the la.st line, " Edmund king," a part of the narrative, and thus
apparently confounding the transactions of different years. The events here
noticed are placed tmder the year 943 in the other MSS. as well as in Florence of
■Worcester; and the narrative in D. being much fuller than the others, it has been
placed in the test.— P. '» E. F.
" See Hen. Huntingdon and Simeon of Dui'ham, A.D. 941. There were several
chiefs of that name at this period : Anlaf the son of Guthferth, Anlaf the son of
Sihtric, and Anlaf Cuaran, mentioned a.d. 949. — P.
VOL. II. F
G6 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 943—
A.D. 943. 'Tliis year Anlaf stormed Tamworth, and great carnage
was made on either hand ; and the Danes had the victory, and much
booty they led away with them : there, during the pillage, was
Wulfrun taken. This year king Eadmund besieged king Anlaf and
archbishop Wulfstan in Leicester ; and he would have taken them,
were it not that they broke out by night from the town. And,
after that, Anlaf acquired king Eadmund's friendship ; and king
Eadmund then received king Anlaf at baptism, and he royally gifted
him. "And that same year, after a good long time, he received
king Regnald at the bishop's hands. This year king Eadmund
delivered Glastonbury to St. Dunstan, where he afterwards became
the first abbat.
A.D. 944. This year king Eadmund subdued all Northumberland
under his power, and expelled two kings, Anlaf, son of Syhtric, and
Raegenald, son of Guthferth.
A.D. 945. This year king Eadmund ravaged all Cumberland,
and granted it all to Malcolm, king of the Scots, on the condition,
that he should be his fellow -worker, as well by sea as by land.
A.D. '946. This year king Eadmund died, on St. Augustine's
mass-day [26th May]. ^That was widely known how he ended liis
days : that Liofa stabbed him at Puckle-church. And Aetheltlacd
at Domerham, Aelfgar's daughter, the ealdorman, was then his
queen : and he had the kingdom six years and a half. And then
after him his brother Eadred the etheling succeeded to the king-
dom, and subdued all Northumberland under his power : and the
Scots gave him oaths, that they would all that he would.
A.D. 947. ^This year king Eadred came to Taddene's-scylf, and
there Wulstan the archbishop" and all the North -humbrian witan
plighted their troth to the king : and within a little while they belied
it all, both pledge and also oaths.
A.D. 948. ^This year king Eadred ravaged all Northumberland,
because they had taken Yric to be their king : and then, during the
pillage, was the great minster burned at Ripon that St. Wilfcrth
built. And as the king went homewards, then the army of York
overtook him : the rear of the king's forces was at Chesterford ; and
there they made great slaughter. Then was the king so wroth that
he would have marched his forces in again and wholly destroyed
the land. When the North-humbrian witan understood that, then
forsook they Hyryc, and made compensation for the deed with king
Eadred.
A.D. 949. ^This year ^Anlaf Cwiran came to Northumberland.
A.D. 950.
* As far as note * is taken from D.
* To the end from F. and partly from A. In the former of these INISS. the
date of this notice has been seemingly cut off by the binder ; but it is here placed
on the authority of the fragment in A. Florence of Worcester has a.d. 942.
3 A.D. 948, E. F.
* As far as " queen" from D., the remainder from D. E. F.
6 1). « Archbishop of York.
^ The whole of this year from D. * E. F.
* Anlaf Cuarau is noticed in the Annals of Ulster, under the vears 944 and
946.— P.
A.D. 958.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 67
A.D. 951. 'This year died Aelfheali, bishop of Winchester, on
St. Gregory's mass-day. ^This same blessed St. Dunstan. . . .
A.D. 952. ^In this year king Eadred commanded archbishop
Wulstan to be brought into the fastness at Judanbyrig, because he
had been oft accused to the king : and in this year also the king
commanded great slaughter to be made in the burgh of Thetford,
in revenge of the abbat Eadelm, whom they had before slain. This
year the North -humbrians expelled king Anlaf, and received Yric/
Harold's son.
A.D. 953.
A.D. 954. 'This year the North-humbrians expelled Yric, and
Eadred obtained the kingdom of the Northumbrians. ^ This year
archbishop Wulfstan again obtained a bishopric at Dorchester.
A.D. ^955. This year died king Eadred/ on St. Clement's mass-
day [23d Nov.], at Frome, and he rests in the Old-Minster [Win-
chester] ; and he reigned nine years and a half. And then Eadwy
succeeded to the kingdom, king Eadmund's and St. Aelfgive's son.
'And he banished St. Dunstan out of the land.
A.D. 955. "And Eadwy succeeded to the kingdom of the West Saxons, and
Eadgar, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians : and they
were the sons of king Eadmund and of S. Aelfgyfe.
A.D. 956.
A.D. 957. "This year died Wulfstan, archbishop of York, ''on
the 17th of the kalends of January [16th Dec], and he was buried
at Oundle. "And in the same year abbat Dunstan was driven
away over the sea. '*This year Eadgar the etheling succeeded to
the kingdom of the Mercians.
A.D. 958. '^In this year archbishop Oda'® separated king Eadwy
and Aelfgyfe, because they were too nearly related. ''This year died
king Eadwy, on the kalends of October [1st Oct.] ; and Eadgar,
his brother, succeeded to the kingdom, '*as well of the West Saxons
as of the Mercians, and of the Northumbrians ; and he was then
sixteen years of age.
"In his days He upreared God's glory wide,
it prospered well, and loved God's law,
and God him granted and bettered the public peace,
that he dwelt in peace most of the kings
the while that he lived ; who were before him
and he did as behoved him, in man's memory,
diligently he earned it. and God him eke so helped,
1 This first sentence not in B. C. D. E. F.
2 F., the Latin portion of which, likewise imperfect, states that " He Llessed
St. Dunstan as mon[k]."
•* This first sentence from D., the remainder from E. F.
* F. designates him as king. * D. E. F.
« D. 7 ^.D. 9.56, B. C.
" The date and place of his death are not in B. C. D. E.
8 F., and inserted in A.
" D. after the word " Old-Minster" in the text, a.d. 955.
" D. A.D. 956, E. F. 12 rpj^g j,gg^ ^f ^j^g sentence from D.
1^ This sentence from D. and added in F. " B. C.
15 This fii-st sentence from D. " Of Canterbury.
17 A.D. 959, C. D. 18 The rest of the year not in A. D. E.
" This poetical character of Eadwy is from D. E. F.
F 2
G8 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 959—
that kings and eorls of all his people,
gladly to him bowed, One misdeed he did
and were submissive all too much
to that that he willed ; that he foreign
and without war vices loved,
he ruled all and heathen customs
that himself would. within this land
He was wide brought too oft,
throughout nations and outlandish men
greatly honoured, hither enticed,
because he honoured and harmful people
God's name earnestly, allured to this land,
and God's law pondered But may God grant liim
oft and frequently, that his good deeds
and God's glory reared be more availing
wide and far, than his misdeeds,
and wisely counselled, for his soul's protection
most oft, and ever, on the longsome course,
for God and for the world,
A.D. 959. ^This year Eadgar sent after St. Dunstan, and gave
him the bishopric at Worcester ; and afterwards the bishopric at
London.
A.D. 960.
A.D. 961. ^This year departed Odo the Good, archbishop; and
St. Dunstan succeeded to the archbishopric.
A.D. ^962. ^This year died Aelfgar, the king's kinsman, in
Devonshire, and his body rests at Wilton. And king Sigferth
killed himself, and his body lies at Wimborne. And then, within
the year, there was a great mortality, and the great fever was in
London ; and Paul's minster was burnt, and that same year was
again built up. In this same year Athelmod the mass-priest went
to Rome, and there died, on the 1 8th of the kalends of September
[15th Augt.].
A.D. 963. 'This year died Wulfstan, the deacon, on Childer-
mass-day [28th Dec], and after that died Gyric, the mass-priest.
"In this same year abbat Athelwold succeeded to the bishopric at
Winchester, and he was consecrated on the vigil of St. Andrew
[29th Nov.] : it was Sunday that day. 'In the year after he was
consecrated, then made he many minsters, and drove the clerks out
of the bishopric, because they would not observe any rule, and he
set monks there. He made there two abbacies ; one of monks, one
of nuns ; all which was within Winchester. Afterwards then came
he to the king, Eadgar, and begged of him that he would give liini
all the minsters which heathen men had formerly broken down,
because he would restore them : and the king cheerfully granted it.
And then the bishop came first to Ely, where St. Aethcldrith lies, and
^ F. and inserted in A. in continuation after a.d. 953.
* F. and inserted in A.
» A.D. 961, G.
* This j'ear does not occur in B. C. D. E. F.
* This first sentence not in E. F. " B. C. D. have not this sentence.
" The remainder of the year from G.
AD. 963.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. G9
caused the minster to be made : then he gave it to one of his
monks, who was named Brihtnoth. He then consecrated him abbat,
and there set monks to serve God where previously had been nuns :
he bought then many villages of the king, and made it very rich.
After that came bishop Athelwold to the minster which was called
Medeshamstede, which formerly had been destroyed by heathen
men : he found nothing there but old walls and wild woods. There
found he, hidden in the old walls, writings that abbat Headda had
erewhile written, how king Wulfhere and Aethelred his brother
had built it, and how they had freed it against king and against
bishop, and against all secular sei-vices, and how the pope Agatho
had confirmed the same by his rescript, and the archbishop Deus-
dedit. Then caused he the minster to be built ; and set there an
abbat, who was called Aldulf, and caused monks to be there where
before was nothing. Then came he to the king, and caused him
to look at the writings which before were found ; and the king
answered then and said : —
"I, Aedgar, grant and give to-day, before God and before the
archbishop Dunstan, freedom to St. Peter's minster, Medesham-
stede, from king and from bishop ; and all the villages which lie
thereto ; that is to say, Aestfeld, and Dodesthorp, and Ege, and
Pastun. And thus I free it, that no bishop have there any com-
mand, without the abbat of the minster. And I give the vill which
is called Oundle, with all which thereto lietli ; that is to say, that
which is called the Eight-hundreds, and market and toll, so freely
that neither king, nor bishop, nor earl, nor sheriff, have there any
command, nor any man except the abbat alone, and him whom he
thereto appointeth. And I give to Christ and St. Peter, and through
the prayer of bishop Athelwold, these lands ; that is to say, Barwe,
Wermingtun, Aesctun, Ketering, Castre, Egleswurth, Waltun,
Witheringtun, Ege, Thorp ; and one moneyer in Stamford. These
lands, and all the others that belong to the minster, them declare
I free : that is, saca and socne, toll and team, and infangthief ; these
rights, and all others, them declare I free to Christ and St. Peter.
And I give the two parts of Wliittlesey-mere, with the waters and
with the wears and fens, and so through Merelade straight to the
water which is called Nen, and so eastwai-d to King's-delf. And
I will that a market be in the same town, and that no other be
between Stamford and Huntingdon. And I will that the toll be
thus given : first, from Whittlesey-mere all as far as the king's toll
of Norman-cross-hundred, and then back again from Wliittlesey-
mere, through Merelade, straight to the Nen, and so as the water
runneth to Crowland, and from Crowland to Must, and from Must
to King's-delf, and to Whittlesey-mere. And I will that all liberties,
and all the remissions that my predecessors have given, that they
stand ; and T sign and confirm it with Christ's rood-token."^
Then Dunstan, the archbishop of Canterbuiy, answered and said :
" I grant that all the things which here are given and spoken of,
and all the things which thy predecessors and mine have conceded,
those will I that they stand ; and whosoever this breaketh, then give
I him the curse of God, and of all saints, and of all ordained heads.
70 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 9G3—
and of myself, unless he come to repentance. And I give, in
acknowledgment, to St. Peter, my mass-hackel, and my stole, and
my ' reef,' for the service of Christ." " I, Oswald, archbishop of
York, assent to all these words, by the holy rood which Christ suf-
fered on." »^ " I, Athelwold, bishop, bless alUvho shall observe
this; and I excommunicate all who shall break this, unless he come to
repentance." Herew^as Aelfstan bishop, Athulf bishop, and Escwi
abbat, and Osgar abbat, and Aethelgar abbat, and Aelfere the eal-
dorman, Aethelwin the ealdorman, Brithnoth ; Oslac the ealdor-
man, and many other great men : and all assented to it, and all
signed it with Ciirist's cross. »J< This was done after the birth of
our Lord nine hundred and seventy-tw^o years, of the king's reign
the sixteenth year.
Then the abbat Aldulf bought lands, numerous and many, and then
greatly enriched the minster withal ; and then was he there so long
as until the archbishop Oswald of York was dead,^ and then hew^as
chosen archbishop. And then, soon, another abbat was chosen of
the self-same minster, who was called Kenulf : he was afterwards
bishop at Winchester. And he first made the wall about the min-
ster : then gave he that to name " Burch," which before was called
IVIedeshamstede : he was there until he was appointed bishop at
Winchester.^ Then another abbat was chosen of the self-same
minster, who was called Aelfsi : Aelfsi was then abbat, from that
time, fifty years. He took up St. Kyneburh and St. Kyneswitli,
who lay at Castre, and St. Tibba, who lay at Rihall, and brought
them to Burch, and made an offering of them all to St. Peter in
one day ; and preserved them all the while he was there.
A.D. 963. ^This year, by king Eadgar, St. Aethelwold was chosen to the
bishopric at Winchester. And the archbishop of Canterbury, St. Dunstau,
consecrated him bishop, on the first Sunday of Advent ; that was on the
3d of the kalends of December [29th Nov.].
A.D. ■'964. This year king Edgar expelled the priests at Win-
chester from the Old-Minster and from the New-Minster, and from
Chertsey, and from Middleton, and filled them with monks ; and
he appointed abbat Aethelgar abbat to the New-Minster, and
Ordbriht to Chertsey, and Cyneward to Middleton.
A.D. 964. ^This year were the canons driven out of the 01d-]\Iinster by
king Eadgar, and al.so from the New-]\Iinster, and from Chertsey, and from
Middleton ; and he appointed thereto monks and abbats : to the New-
Miuster Acgelgar, to Chertsey Ordberht, to Milton Cyneward.
A.D. 965. " In this year king Eadgar took Aelfythe [Aelfthrjthc ?]
for his queen ; she was the daugliter of Ordgar the ealdorman.
A.D. 966. 'This year Thored, Gunner's son, ravaged West-
moreland. And that same year Oslac obtained an ealdordora.
A.D. 967.
A.D. 968. "In this year king Eadgar ordered all Thanet-land to
be ravaged.
A.D. 969, 970.
A.D. 971. "This year died archbishop Oskytel : he was first
' N.imely, in a.P. 992. 2 In a.d. 1006. ^ From E.
* Thi.H year is blank in B. C. D. E. ^ From F. « From D.
7 From I). F. » From D. » From B. C.
A.D. 975.]
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.
consecrated bishop of Dorchester, and aftenvards of York ; by favour
of king Eadred, and of all his witan, he was consecrated arch-
bishop ; and he was a bishop twenty-two years ; and he died on the
mass-night of All-Hallows [1st Nov.], ten days before Martin-
mass, at Thame. And abbat Thurkytel, his kinsman, carried the
bishop's body to Bedford, because he was then, at that time, abbat
there.
A.D. 972. 'Tliis year died Edmund the etheling, ^and his body
lies at Rumsey.
A.D. ^972. ^Thisyear Eadgar the etheling was consecrated king at the
Hot-baths, on Pentecost's mass-day, ou the 5th of the ides of May [11th
May], the thirteenth year since he had obtained the kingdom ; and he was
then one less than thirty years of age. And soon after that, the king led
all his ship-forces to Chester ; and there came to meet him six kings, and
they all plighted their troth to him, that they would be his fellow-workers
by sea and by land.
A.D. ^973.
Here was Eadgar,
the ruler of the Angles,
in full assembly,
hallowed king,
at the old city
Akemanscester ;
but it the islanders,
by another word,
the men name Bath.
There was much bliss
on that blessed day
to all occasioned,
which the children of men
name and call
Pentecost's day.
There was a heap of priests ;
of monks a large band,
as I have heard,
of sage ones, gathered :
and then gone were
ten hundred years,
by calculation,
from the birth-tide
of the glorious King,
Pastor of light.
But that there remaining
then still was,
of yearly-tale,
as writings say,
seven and twenty :
so nigh had to the Victor-lord
a thousand run out
when this befel.
And to himself, Eadmund's
offspring, had
nine and twenty,
(guardian 'gainst evil works,)
years in the world
when this was done,
and then in the thirtieth, was
hallowed as ruler.
A.D. 974.
A.D. 975.
Here, ended
the joys of earth,
Eadgar, of Angles the king,
chose him another light,
beauteous and pleasant
and left this frail,
this wretched life.
Children of men name,
men on the earth,
every where, that month,
in this land,
those who erewhile were
in the art of numbers
rightly taught,
July month,
when the youth departed,
on the eighth day,
Eadgar, from life,
bracelet-giver to heroes.
And then his son succeeded
1 As far as " etheling" from B. C. 970, D. E. 971, G. Erased from A.
=* From G. * Read 973. * From D. E. F. * a.d. 971, C.
72
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
[a.d. 975—
to the kingdom,
a child unwaxcn,
of earls the prince.
whose name was Eadweard.
And him, a glorious chief,
ten days before,
departed from Britain,
the good bishop,
through nature's course,
to whom was Cyneweard name.
Then was in Mercia,
as I have heard,
widely and every where,
the glory of the Lord
laid low on earth :
many were expelled,
sage servants of God ;
that was much grief
to him who in his breast bore
a burning love
of the Creator, in his mind.
Then was the Source of wonders
too oft contemned ;
the Victor-lord,
heaven's Ruler.
The men his law broke through
the beloved hero,
Oslac from this land,
o'er rolling waters,
o'er the gannet's-bath ;
the hoary-haired hero,
wise and word-skilled,
o'er the waters* throng,
o'er the whale's domain,
of home bereaved.
And then was seen,
high in the heavens,
a star in the firmament,
which lofty-souled
men, sage-minded,
call widely,
cometa by name ;
men skilled in arts,
wise truth-bearers.
Throughout mankind was
the Lord's vengeance
widely known,
famine o'er the earth.
That again heaven's Guardian,
bettered. Lord of angels,
gave again bliss
to each isle-dweller,
throush earth's fruits.
and then was eke driven out,
A.D. 975. The i8th of the ides of July [8th July].
Here Eadgar died, honoured far,
ruler of the Angles, bowed to the king, _
West Saxons' joy, as was his due by kind,
and Mercians' protector. No fleet was so daring,
Known was, widely nor army so strong,
throughout many nations, that 'mid the English nation
this otfspring of Eadmund, took from him aught,
o'er the gannet's bath. the while that the noble king
Kings him widely ruled his throne.
And this year Eadward, Eadgar's son, succeeded to the kingdom ; and tlu'ii
soon, in the same year, during harvest, appeared "cometa," the star ; and
then came in the following year a very great famine, and very manifold
commotions among the Enghsh people.
In his days,
for his youth,
God's gainsayers
God's law broke ;
Aelferc, caldorman,
and others many ;
and rule monastic quashed,
and minsters dissolved,
and monks drove out,
and God's servants put down,
whom Edgar, king, ordered erewhilo
the holy bishop
Athclwold to stablish ;
and widows they plundered,
many times and oft :
and many unrighteousnesses,
and evil unjust-deeds
arose up afterwards :
and ever after that
it greatly grew in evil.
And at that time also was Oslac, the great earl, banished from England.
> The date is from D. E. F.
A.D. 979.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 73
A.D. 976. ^This year was the great famine among the Enghsh
nation.
A.D. 977. 'This year, after Easter [8th April], was the great council
at Kirtlington ; and there died bishop Sideman, by a sudden death,
on the 2d of the kalends of May [30th April]. He was bishop in
Devonshire, and he desired that the resting-place of his body should
be at Crediton, at his episcopal seat. Then commanded king Ead-
ward and archbishop Dunstan that he should be borne to St. Mary's
minster, which is at Abingdon : and so too was it done ; and he is
moreover honourably buried on the north side, in St. Paul's
chapel.^
A.D. 978. ^In this year all the chief witan of the English
nation fell at Calne from an upper chamber, except the holy arch-
bishop Dunstan, who alone supported himself upon a beam ; and
there some were grievously maimed, and some did not escape with
life. ^ In this year was king Eadward martyred ; and Aethelred the
etheling, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom, ''and he was in the
same year consecrated king. In that year died Alfwold ; he was
bishop of Dorset,^ and his body lies in the minster at Sherburn.
A.D. 979. *In this year was Aethelred consecrated king at
Kingston, on the Sunday, fourteen days after Easter ; and there
were at his consecration two archbishops and ten suffragan bishops.
That same year was seen a bloody cloud, oftentimes, in the likeness
of fire ; and it was mostly apparent at midnight, and so in various
beams was coloured ; when it began to dawn then it glided away.
A.D. 979. °This year was king Edward slain at even-tide, at Corfes-gate,
on the 15th of the kalends of April [18th Mar.], and then was he buried at
Wareham, without any kind of kingly honours.
There has not been 'mid Angles on earth blot out,
a worse deed done but the lofty Avenger
than this was, hath his memory
since they first in the heavens
Britain-land sought. and on earth wide-spread.
Men murdered him, They who would not erewhile
but God glorified him. to his living
He was in life body bow down
an earthly king ; they now humbly
he is now after death on knees bend
a heavenly saint. to his dead bones.
Him would not his earthly Now we may understand
kinsmen avenge, that men's wisdom
but him hath his heavenly Father and their devices,
greatly avenged. and their councils,
The earthly murderers are like nought
would his memory 'gainst God's resolves.
1 B. C. 2 B c.
^ Here ends MS. B., ncnr the bottom of the (recto) page. — P.
* This fir.st sentence is from D. E. F.
5 From A. C. G. which, with Florence of Worcester, place the death of Edward
and the coronation of Ethelred under the year 978; but in 979 C. repeats the
account of his coronation, as though a year had intervened between the murder
of Edward and that event; imless, on the latter occasion, the writer may be
supposed to begin the year either at Lady-day or at Easter. Florence says he
was crowned on Sunday, the 14th of April indiction vi., which characters agree
with 978.— P.
« To the end of the year from C. ^ That is, of Sherburn.
8 The whole of this year is from C. » D. E. F.
74 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a D. 980—
^Tliis year Aethelred succeeded to the kingdom ; and he was very quickly
after that, with much joy of the EngHsh witau, consecrated king at Kingston.
A.D. 980. ^In this year abbat Aethelgar was consecrated bishop,
on the 6th of the nones of May [2d May]/ to the episcopal seat at
Selsey. And in the same year was Southampton ravaged by a ship-
force, and the most part of the townsmen slain, and led captive.
And that same year was Thanet-land ravaged. And that same
year was Legecester-shire [Chester] ravaged by a northern ship-
force. ■'Tn this year St. Dunstan* and Aelfhere the ealdorman
fetched the holy king's body, St. Edward's, from Wareham, and
bore it with much solemnity to Shaftsbury.
A.D. 981 . "In this year St. Petroc's-stowe [Padstow] was ravaged ;
and that same year was much harm done everywhere by the sea-
coast, as well among the men of Devon as among the Welsh. And
in the same year died Aelfstan, bishop of Wiltshire, and his body
lies in the minster at Abingdon ; and Wulfgar then succeeded to
the bishopric. And in the same year died abbat Womaer at Ghent.
A.D. 981. ^This year came first the seven ships, and ravaged Southampton.
A.D. 982. ^In this year landed among the men of Dorset three
ships of pirates ; and they ravaged in Portland. Tliat same year
London was burnt ; and in the same year died two ealdormen,
Aethelmaer in Hampshire, and Eadwin in Sussex; and Aethelmaer's
body lies at Winchester, in the New- Minster, and Eadwin's in the
minster at Abingdon. This same year died two abbesses in Dorset,
Herelufu at Shaftesbury, and Wulfvvin at Wareham. And that same
year went Odda,^ the Roman emperor, to Greek-land [Calabria],
and there met he a large force of Saracens, coming up from the
sea, and they would then go plundering the Christian people. And
then the emperor fought against them, and there was great slaughter
made on either hand ; and the emperor had possession of the place
of carnage ; and nevertheless he was there much harassed before he
turned thence : and as he went homeward, then died his brother's
son, who was named Odda [Otho], and he was Leodulf's son, the
etheling's, and Leodulf was the elder Odda's [Otho's] son, and king
Edward's daughter's son.*"
A.D. 983. ''This year died Aelfhere the ealdorman, '^and Aelfric
succeeded to the same ealdorman-ship.'' **And pope Benedict
[VII.] died.
A.D. 984. ''This year died the benevolent bishop of Winchester,
Athelwold, father of monks, on the kalends of August [1st Aug.] ;
and the consecration of the succeeding bishop, Aelfheah, who by
another name was called Godwin, was on the 14th of the kalends
of November [19th Oct.];'" and he took the episcopal seat at
^ A.D. 980, F. * C. as far as " ship-force."
■'' Namely, the third Sunday after Easter.
* D. E. F. after the conchision <if a.d. !>79, iu the smaller type.
* Dunstan is not mentioned in D. E., nor do these copies speak of king Edward
as a saint.
0 C. 7 From D. E. « C.
9 Otho the Third. " See a.d. 925. »' A. C. D. E. F. G.
>- The remainder of the year is not in A. O. " That, namely, of Mercia.
'* This clause not in D. E. _ " A. C. D. E. F. G.
""• This was the twenty-second Sunday after Trmity, in the year 984.
A.D. 992.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 75
Winchester, on the day of the two apostles, Simon and Jude
[28th Oct.].'
A.D. 985. ^This year was Aelfric the ealdorman banished the
land. ^And in the same year was Eadwine consecrated abbat of the
minster at Abingdon.
A.D. 986. *This year the king laid waste the bishopric of Ro-
chester. This year first came the great murrain among cattle in
the English nation.
A.D. 987.
A.D. '988. This year was Watchet ravaged, and Goda, the De-
vonshire thane,® slain, and with him much slaughter made. 'And
this year departed the holy archbishop Dunstan, and passed to the
heavenly life : and bishop Ethelgar^ succeeded, after him, to the
archbishopric ; and little while after that he lived, but one year and
three" months.
A.D. 989.
A.D. ^"990. This year Sigeric was consecrated archbishop, "and
afterwards went to Rome for his pall. ^^And abbat Eadwine ^^ died;
and abbat Wulfgar succeeded to the abbacy.
A.D. 991. "This year w^as Ipswich ravaged ; and after that, very
shortly, was Brithnoth the ealdorman slain at Maldon. And in that
year it was decreed that tribute, for the first time, should be given
to the Danish-men, on account of the great terror which they
caused by the sea-coast ; that was at first ten thousand pounds :
this counsel was first given by archbishop Syric.
A.D. 992. "This year Oswald, the holy archbishop,^® left this, and
passed to the heavenly life : and Ethelwine^'' the ealdorman died in
the same year. Then decreed the king and all his witan that all
the ships which were worth anything should be gathered together at
London. And the king then committed the forces to the leading
of Aelfric the ealdorman, and of Thored the earl, and of bishop
Aelfstan,^^ and of bishop Aescwig ; and they were to try if they could
any where betrap the army about. Then sent the ealdorman Aelfric,
and directed the army to be warned ; and then during the night of
which they should have joined battle by day, then fled he by night
from the forces, to his great disgrace : and the army then escaped,
except one ship, whose crewwas there slain. And then the ships from
East-Anglia and from London met the army, and there they made
great slaughter of them ; and took the ship, all armed and equipped,
in which the ealdorman was. "And then, after the decease of arch-
bishop Oswald, abbat Ealdulf, ^"of Peterborough, succeeded to the
* Nothing further occurs in A. and G. until the year 993, or 991 of the text. — P.
2 C. D. E. give the first sentence.
^ A.D. 984, E. The remainder of the year does not occur in D.
* From C. D. E. F., excepting the latter sentence, which does not occur in F.
5 C. D. A.D. 986, E. F. 6 E designates him as " the Danish thane. '
1 A.D. 988, E. F., in which two MSS. only is Dunstan described as the Holy,
s Of Selsey. 9 According to F. " eight."
" C. D. A.D. 989, E. F. " This clause is from F.
12 Not in D. F. 13 Of Abbingdon.
1* C. D. E. F. 1= C. D. E.
i« Of York, on Feb. 29. " Of East Anglia.
1^ The bishop here mentioned filled the sees of London and Dorchester.
1' Not in D. 2° These two words do not occur in C. D.
76 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 992—
bishopric of York and of Worcester ; and Kenulf to the abbacy of
Peterborough.
A.D. 992. 'This vear Oswold the blessed archbishop died, and abbat Ea-
dulf succeeded to York and to Worcester. And this year the king and all
his witan decreed that all the ships which were worth anything should be
gathered together at London, in order that they might try if they could
any where betrap the army from without. But Aelfric .the caldorman, one
of those in whom the king had most confidence, directed the army to be
warned ; and in the night, as they should on the morrow have joined
[battle], the self-same Aelfric fled from the forces ; and then the army
escaped.
A.D. 993. ^In this year was Bambrough entered by storm, and
much booty there taken. And after that the army came to the
mouth of the Humber, and there wrouglit much evil, ^as well in
Lindsey as in Northumbria. Then a very large force was gathered
together ; and as they should have joined [battle], then the leaders,
first of all, began the flight : that was Fraena, and Godwine, and
Frythegyst. *^In this year the king ordered Aelfgar, son of Aelfric
the ealdorman, to be blinded.
A.D. 993. ' In this year came Unlaf with ninety-three ships to Staines,
and ravaged there about, and then went thence to Sandwich, and so thence
to Ipswich, and that all over-ran ; and so to Maldon. And there Bryhtnoth
the ealdorman came against them with his forces, and fought against them :
and they there slew the ealdorman, and had possession of the place of
carnage. And after that peace was made with them ; and the king after-
wards received him [Anlaf] at the bishop's hands, Hhrough the instruction
of Siric, bishop of the Kentish-men, and of Aelfheah of Winchester.
A.D. 994. ^In this year came Anlaf and Swegen to London, on
the nativity of St. Mary [8th Sept.], with ninety-four ships; and
they then continued fighting stoutly against the city, and would also
have set fire to it. But they there sustained more harm and evil
than they ever supposed that any citizens would be able to do unto
them. But the holy mother of God, on that day, shewed her
mercy to the citizens and delivered them from their foes. And
they then went thence, and wrought the utmost evil that ever any
army could do, by burning, and plundering, and by man-slaying,
both by the sea-coast and among the East Saxons, and in the land of
Kent, and in Sussex, and in Hampshire. And at last they took to
themselves horses, and rode as far as they would, and continued
doing unspeakable evil. Then the king and his witan decreed that
^ley should be sent to, and promised tribute and food, on condition
that they should cease from their plundering : which terms they
accepted. And then all the army came to Southampton, and there
took up their winter-quarters : and there they were victualled from all
the realm of the West Saxons, and they were paid sixteen thousand
pounds of money. Then the king sent bishop Aclfcah and Aethel-
wcard the ealdorman after king Anlaf ; and the while, hostages were
delivered to the ships ; and they then led Anlaf, with much worship,
1 From F. ' C. D. E. F.
•■' F. omits the conclusion of the sentence.
* Not in F. to the end of the year.
* A. G. The events here noticed belong to the years 991 and 994 of the text. — P.
6 Inserted in A. to the end of the year. ' C. D. E. F.
A.D. 995.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 77
to the king at Andover. And king Aethelred received him at the
bishop's hands, and royally gifted him. And then Anlaf made a
covenant with him, even as he also fulfilled, that he never again
would come hostilely to the English nation.'
A.D. ^995. In this year appeared " cometa," the star, and arch-
bishop Sigeric died : and Aelfric, bishop of Wiltshire, was chosen,''
on Easter-day, at Amesbury, by king Aegelred and by all his witan.
^This Aelfric was a very wise man, so that there was no sager man
in England. Then went Aelfric to his archiepiscopal seat ; and when
he came thither he was received by those men in orders who were
most unacceptable to him, that was, by clerks. And soon [he sent
for] all the wisest men he anywhere knew of, and also the old men
who were able to say the soothest how each thing had been in this
land in the days of their elders ; in addition to what himself had
learned from books and from wise men. Him told the very old
men, as well clergy as laity, that their elders had told them how it
had been established by law, soon after St. Augustine came to this
land. When Augustine had obtained the bishopric in the city,
then was he archbishop over all king Aegelbert's kingdom, as it is
related in Historia Anglorum^ .... make [a bishop's] see by the
king's aid in . . . was begun by the old Romans . . . and to sprout
forth. In that company the foremost were INIellitus, Justus, Paulinus,
Rufianus. By these sent the blessed pope the pall, and therewith
a letter, and instruction how he should consecrate bishops, and in
which place in Britain he should seat them. And to the king [also]
he sent letters and many worldly gifts of divers things. And the
churches which they had got ready he commanded to be conse-
crated in the name of our Lord and Saviour Christ and St. Mary ;
and for himself there fix a dwelling-place, and for all his after-
followers ; and that he [should] place therein men of the same
order that he had sent thither, and of which he himself was, and
also that each . . . monks who should fill the archiepiscopal Beat at
Canterbury, and that be ever observ^ed by God's leave and blessing
and by St. Peter's, and by all who came after him. When this
embassy came again to king Aegelbert and to Augustine, they were
very pleased with such instruction. And the archbishop then con-
secrated the minster in Christ's name and St. Mary's, [on] the day
which is called the mass-day of the two martyrs. Primus et Felici-
anus, and there within placed monks all as St. Gregory commanded :
and they God's service continently performed ; and from the same
monks bishops were taken for each ... as thou mayst read in His-
toria Anglorum.® Then was archbishop Elfric very blithe, that he
had so many witnesses [who] stood best at that time with the king.
^ " Here the elder Richard died, and Richard his son succeeded to the kingdom,
and reigned xsx years." E.
- C. D. E. F. A.D. 994, A. G. These two MSS. do not mention the appearance
of the comet.
3 Namely, to the see of Canterbury, on 21st April.
* The following passage respecting Aelfric is from F., in which it is an inser-
tion, partly on the margin, partly on a small leaf introduced. The obscurity
occasioned by its jjartial mutilation and illegibility has in the translation been
removed by the employment of the corresponding Latin text.
5 Beda, I. xxv. ' e Beda, I. xxxiii.
78 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 99G—
Still more, the same witan who were with the archbishop said : —
Thus also we . . . monks have continued at Christ- Church during
Augustine's days, and during Laurentius', Mellitus', Justus', Ho-
norius', Dcus-dedit, Theodore's, Brihtwold's, Tatwine's, Nothelm's,
Cuthbert's, Bregwine's, lanbert's, . . . Athelard's, Wulfred's, Feo-
logild's. But the [first] year when Ceolnoth came to the arch-
bishopric, there was such a mortality that there remained no more
than five monks within Christ- Church. During all his time there
was war and sorrow in this land, so that no man could think of
anything else but . . . Now, God be thanked, it is in the king's
power and thine, whether they may be longer there within, because
they [might] never better be brought thereout than now may be
done, if it is the king's will and thine. The archbishop then,
without any staying, with all [these] men, went anon to the king
and showed him all, so as we here before have related. Then was
the king very glad [at these] tidings, and said to the archbishop and
to the others, " It seemeth advisable to me that thou shouldst go
first of all to Rome after thy [pall, and that] thou show to the pope
all this, and, after that, act by his counsel." And they all answered,
that that was the best counsel. When [the priests] heard this, then
resolved they that they should take two from among themselves and
send to the pope ; and they should offer him great gifts and silver,
on condition that he should give them the arch[-pall]. But when
they came to Rome, then would not the pope do that, because
they brought him no letter, either from the king or from the people,
and commanded them to go, lo ! where they would. [So soon as]
the priests had gone thence, came archbishop Aelfric to Rome, and
the pope received him with much worship, and commanded him on
the morrow to perform mass at St. Peter's altar, and the pope him-
self put on him his own pall, and greatly honoured him. When
this was done, the archbishop began telling the pope all about the
clerks, how it had happened, and how they were within the minster
at his archbishopric. And the pope related to him again how the
priests had come to him, and offered great gifts, in order that he
should give them the pall. And the pope said, " Go now to Eng-
land again, with God's blessing, and St. Peter's, and mine ; and as
thou comest home, place in thy minster men of that order which
St. Gregorius commanded Augustine therein to place, by God's
command, and St. Peter's, and mine." Then the archbishop with
this returned to England. As soon as he came home, he entered
his archiepiscopal seat, and after that went to the [king] ; and the
king and all his people thanked God for his return, and that he so
had succeeded as was pleasing to them all. He then went again to
Canterbury, and drove the clerks out of the minster, and there
within placed monks, all as the pope commanded him.
A.D. 996. 'In this year was Aelfric consecrated archbishop to
Christ- Church. ^ This year was Wulstan ordained bishop of
London.
A.D. 997. 'h\ this year the army went about Devonshire into
Severn-mouth, and there ravaged, as well among the Cornish-men
' C. D. E. » F. 3 c. D. E.
A.D. 1001.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 79
as among the North Welsh, and among the men of Devon ; and
then landed at Watchet, and there wrought much evil by burning
and by man-slaying. And after that they again went about Pen-
withstart, on the south side, and went then into the mouth of the
Tamar, and then went up until they came to Lidford, and burned
and destroyed everything which they met with; and they burned
Ordulf 's minster at Tavistock, and brought unspeakable booty with
them to their ships. ^This year archbishop Aelfric went to Rome
after his arch-pall.
A.D. 998. ^This year the army went again eastward into Frome-
mouth, and everywhere there they went up as far as they would into
Dorset. And forces were often gathered against them; but, as
soon as they should have joined battle, then was there ever, through
some cause, flight begun ; and in the end they ever had the victory.
And then at another time they sat down in the Isle of Wight, and
got their food the while from Hampshire and from Sussex.
A.D. 999. 'This year the army again came about into Thames,
and went then up along the Medway, and to Rochester. And then
the Kentish forces came there to meet them, and they there stoutly
joined battle : but alas ! that they too quickly yielded and fled; for
they had not the support which they should have had. And the
Danish-men had possession of the place of carnage ; and then they
took horse and rode wheresoever they themselves would, and full
nigh all the West Kentish men they ruined and plundered. Then
the king, with his witan, decreed that, with a ship force and also
with a land force, they should be attacked. *But when the ships
were ready, then the miserable crew delayed from day to day, and
distressed the poor people who lay in the ships : and ever as it
should have been forwarder, so was it later from one time to
another ; and ever they let their enemies' forces increase, and ever
the people retired from the sea, and they ever went forth after them.
*And then 'in the end, these expeditions both by sea and land
effected nothing, except the people's distress and waste of money,
and the emboldening of their foes.
A.D. 1000. ^In this year the king went into Cumberland, and
ravaged it well nigh all. 'And his ships went out about Chester,
and should have come to meet him, but they were not able : then
ravaged they Mon-ige [Anglesey]. And the hostile fleet went this
summer to Richard's dominions.*
A.D. 1001. ^This year the army came to Exmouth, and then
went up to the town, and there continued fighting stoutly; but they
were very strenuously resisted. Then went they through the land,
and did all as was their wont; destroyed and burnt. '"Then was
collected a vast force of the people of Devon and of the people of
Somerset, and they then came together at Peonn-ho. And so soon
as they joined [battle], then the people" gave way; and there they
IF. 2 c. D. E. ^ C. D. E. F.
* This sentence is not in F.
= F. here reads, " But it effected nothing except," &c. " C. D. E. F.
7 Not in F. 8 zsTamely, Normandy. » C. D. E. F.
*" As far as " would" not in F.
" I), and E. explain this as meaning the English people.
80 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1001—
made great slaughter, and then tliey rode over the land, and their
last incursion was ever worse than the one before : and then they
brought much booty with them to their ships. And thence they
went into Wight-land, and there they roved about, even as they
themselves would, and nothing withstood them : nor any fleet by
sea durst meet them ; nor land force either, went they ever so far
up. Then was it in every wise a heavy time, because they never
ceased from their evil doings.
A.D. 1001. 'In this year was much, hostility iu the laud of the Enghsh
through the ship-force, and well nigh every where they ravaged and
burned, so that they advanced in one course until they came to the town
of Aetheling-dene ; and then there came against them the men of Hamp-
shire, and fought against them. And there was Aethelweard the king's
high-reeve slain, and Leofric at Whitchurch, and Leofwine the king's high-
reeve, and Wulfhere the bishop's thane, and Godwine at Weorthig, bishop
Aelfsig's son, and of all men, one and eighty ; and there were of the
Danish-men many more slain, though they had possession of the place of
carnage. And they went thence west until they came to Devon ; and there
Palhg came to meet them, with the ships which he could gather, because
he had fled from king Aethelred, contrary to all the plighted troth that he
had given him ; and the king had also well gifted him with houses, and
with gold and with silver. And they burned Teigntun, and also many
other good towns which we are unable to name ; and there, afterwards,
peace was made with them. And they then went thence to Exmouth, so
that they proceeded upwards in one course imtil they came to Peonn-ho :
and there Kola, the king's high-reeve, and Eadsy the king's reeve, went
against them with the forces which they were able to gather together ;
and they there were put to flight, and there were many slain : and the
Danish-men had possession of the place of carnage. And the morning
after, they burned the village of Peonu-ho and at Chston, and also many-
goodly towns which we are unable to name, and then went again east until
they came to [the Isle of] Wight ; and on the morning after, they burned
the town at Walthara, and many other " cotlifs ;"2 and soon after a treaty
was entered into with them, and they made peace.
A.D. 1002. ^In this year the king decreed, and his witan, that
tribute should be paid to the fleet, and peace made with them, on
condition that they should cease from their evil doings. *Then sent
the king to the fleet Leofsige the ealdorman ; and he then settled
a truce with them by the king's word, and his witan's, and that
they should receive food and tribute. And that they then accepted :
and then were they paid twenty-four thousand pounds. ^Then
during this, Leofsige the ealdorman slew Aefic, the king's high-reeve ;
and the king then banished him the land. And then in the same
Lent came the lady, Richard's'^ daughter, Ymma Aelfgiva,' hither
to land : and in the same summer archbishop Ealdulf ' died. And
in that year the king ordered all the Danish-men who were in
England to be slain. This was done on St. Rricc's mass-day [I3th
Nov.]; because it was made known to tlie king that they would
' A.G.
* Here ends G. The few remainhig notices in 5IS. A. arc mostly very brief.
The conclviding words of the senteuce are an insertion in this copy.
^ C. D. E. F.
* As far as " accepted," not in F.
5 This sentence docs not occur in F. " Duke of Normandy.
' These names are not specified iu C. D. E. " Of Yoi-k.
A.D. 1006.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 81
treacherouslv bereave him of his Hfe, and afterwards all his witan ;
and after that have his kingdom' without any gainsaying.
A.D. 1003. ^This year was Exeter entered by storm, through
the French churl Hugh, whom the lady [Emma] had appointed her
reeve : and then the army entirely ruined the town, and there took
much booty. ^And in the same year the army went up into Wilt-
shire. Then was gathered a very large force from Wiltshire and
from Hampshire, and very resolutely they came in presence of the
army. Then should the ealdorman Aelfric have led the forces, but
he then had recourse to his old devices : as soon as they were so
near that either army could look on the other, then feigned he
himself sick, and began by retching to spew, and said that he was
grievously ill : and thus deceived the people whom he should have
led ; as it is said : When the leader groweth feeble, then is all the
army greatly hindered. When Swegen saw that they were not
unanimous, and that they all separated, then led he his army into
Wilton ; and they spoiled the town, and burned it ; and he went
then to Salisbuiy, and thence went to the sea again, where he knew
that his sea-horses were,
A.D. 1004. *This year came Swegen with his fleet to Norwich,
and entirely spoiled and burned the town. Then decreed Ulfcytel,
with the witan of East Anglia, that it were better that they should
purchase peace of the army before they did veiy much harm in the
land ; because they had come unawares, and he had not time that
he might gather his forces. Then during the truce which ought to
have been between them, then stole the army up from their ships,
and went their way to Thetford. Wlien Ulfcytel understood that,
then sent he word that the ships should be hewed in pieces, but
they in whom he trusted failed to do it, and he then gathered his
forces secretly, as he best might. And the army then came to
Thetford, within three weeks of their having before plundered Nor-
wich, and were one day there within, and plundered and burned the
town. And then on the morrow, as they would have gone to their
ships, then came Ulfcytel with his band, in order that they might
there join battle with them. And they there stoutly joined battle,
and much slaughter was there made on either hand. There were
the chief among the East-Anglian people slain ; but if the full force
had been there, they never again had gone to their ships ; inasmuch
as they themselves said, that they never had met a worse hand-
play among the English nation than Ulfcytel had brought to them.
A.D. 1005. ^In this year was the great famine throughout the
English nation ; such, that no man ever before recollected one so
grim. And the fleet in this year went from this land to Denmark ;
and stayed but a little space ere it came again.
A.D. 1006. "This year died archbishop Aelfric, and after him
bishop Aelfeah succeeded to the archbishopric': *and bishop
Brihtwold succeeded to the bishopric of Wiltshire. And in the
1 Not in C. D. E. - From C.D.E.F.
^ This and the following sentence do not occur in F, * C. D. E. F.
5 C. D. E. F. 6 C. D. E. F. a.d. 1005, A. ^ Of Canterbury.
* This clause does not occur in C, D.
VOL. II. G
82 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. lOOG—
same year was ^Wulfgeat deprived of all his possessions, and
Wulfeah and Ufegeat were blinded, and Aelfelm the ealdorman was
slain ; and bishop Kenulf^ died. And then, after midsummer, then
came the great fleet to Sandwich, and did all as they had been before
wont ; they ravaged, and burned, and destroyed, wherever they went.
Then the king commanded all the people of Wessex and of Mercia
to be called out ; and then they lay out all the harvest in the field
against the army. But it availed nothing, ^the more than it oft
before had done : but for all this, the army went wheresoever itself
would, and the forces did every kind of harm to the inhabitants ; so
that neither profited them, nor the home army nor the foreign army.
When it became winter, then went the forces home ; and the army
then came, over St. Martin's-mass* [11th Nov.] to their place of
security, the Isle of Wight, and procured themselves there from all
parts that which they needed. And then, at mid-winter, they went
to their ready storing of provisions, throughout Hampshire into
Berkshire, to Reading : and they did their old wont ; they lighted
their war-beacons as they went. Then went they to Wallingford,
and that all burned, and were then one day in Cholsey : and they
went then along Aescesdun to Cwichelms-hlsew, and there abode,
as a daring boast ; for it had been often said, if they should
reach Cwichelms-hlsew, that they would never again go to the sea ;
then they went homewards another way. Then were forces assem-
bled at Kennet, and they there joined battle: and they soon brought
that band to flight, and afterwards carried their booty to the sea.
But there might the Winchester men see an army daring and
fearless, as they went by their gates towards the sea, and fetched
themselves food and treasures over fifty miles from the sea. Then
had the king gone over Thames into Shropshire, and there took his
provisions during the mid-winter's tide. Then became the dread
of the army so great, that no man could think or discover how they
could be driven out of the land, or this land maintained against
them ; for they had sadly marked ever)' shire in Wessex, by burn-
ing and by plundering. Then the king began earnestly with his
witan to consider what might seem most advisable to them all, so
that this land might be saved before it was utterly destroyed. Then
the king and his witan decreed, for the behoof of the whole nation,
though it was hateful to them all, that they needs must pay tribute
to the army. Then the king sent to the army, and directed it to
be made known to them, that he would that there should be a truce
between them, and that tribute should be paid, and food given
them. And then all that they accepted : and then were they vic-
tualled from throughout the English nation.
A.D. 1006. *Tliis year Elphegc [XL] was consecrated archbishop.
A.D. 1007. ''In this year was the tribute delivered to the army,
that was ^thirty-six thousand pounds. In this year also was Eadric
' Tho passage respecting Wulfgeat is not found in F., nor is that wliicli
mentions the death of Aelfelm. ^ Of Winchester.
^ The remainder of this sentence is omitted by F.
* F. does not specify this date. ^ From A.
« C. D. E. F. ' Acccording to E. F. 30,000.
A.D. 1009.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 83
appointed ealdorman over the kingdom of Mercia. 'This year
bishop Aelfeah went to Rome after his pall.
A.D. 1008. ^This year the king commanded that ships should be
speedily built throughout the English nation : that is then, from
three hundred hides and from ten hides, one vessel; and from
eight hides a helmet and a coat of mail.
A.D. 1009. ^In this year were the ships ready about which we
before spake ; and there were so many of them as never before,
* according as books say unto us, had been among the English
nation in any king's days. And they were all brought together to
Sandwich, and there they were to lie and defend this land against
every f< ireign army. But still we had not the good fortune nor the
worthiness, that the ship-force could be of any use to this land, any
more than it oft before had been. Then befel it at this same time,
or a little before, that Brihtric, Eadric the ealdorman's brother,
accused to the king the child Wulfnoth, the South Saxon, ^ the
father of Godwine, the earl. He then went out, and then enticed
ships unto him until he had twenty ; and he then ravaged eveiy-
where by the south coast, and wrought every kind of evil. ^ Then
it was told unto the ship-forces that they might be easily taken, if
they would go about it. Then Brihtric took with him eighty ships,
and thought that he should acquire great fame if he could seize
Wulfnoth alive or dead. But as they were on their way thither,
then came such a wind against them as no man before remembered,
and it then utterly beat the ships, and dashed to pieces, and cast
upon the land ; and soon came Wulfnoth, and burned the ships.
^When this was thus known in the other ships where the king was,
how the others had fared, then was it as if it had been all hopeless ;
and the king went his way home, and the ealdormen and the high-
witan, and thus lightly left the ships ; and then afterwards, the
people who were in the ships brought them to London : and they
let the whole nation's toil thus lightly pass away ; * and no better
was that victoiy on which the whole English nation had fixed their
hopes. When this ship expedition had thus ended, then came,
soon after Lammas [1st Aug.], the vast hostile army, which we have
called Thurkill's army, to Sandwich ; and they soon went their way
to Canterbury, and would soon have subdued the city, if the citizens
had not first desired peace of them : and all the people of East Kent
made peace with the army, and gave them three thousand pounds.
°And then, soon after that, the army went forth till they came to
the Isle of Wight; and thence everywhere in Sussex, and in Hamp-
shire, and also in Berkshire, they ravaged and plundered as their wont
"is. Then the king commanded the whole nation to be called out;
so that they should be opposed on every side : but lo ! nevertheless,
they marched as they pleased. Then upon a certain occasion, the
1 From D. 2 C. D. E. F. ^ c. D. E. F.
* F. does not acknowledge this clavise of the sentence.
^ The concludhig words of this sentence are omitted in C.
" This sentence is omitted in F.
^ As far as " London " does not occur in D. E,
* This concluding passage not in F.
' F. omits as far as the sentence ending, " towards their ships." '" "Was," E.
g2
84 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1010—
king had got before them with all his forces, as they would go to their
ships ; and all the people were ready to attack them. But it was then
prevented through P2adric, the ealdorman, as it ever yet has been.
Then, after St. Martin's-mass [1 1th Nov.], they went once more into
Kent, and took up their winter-quarters on the Thames, and obtained
their food from Essex, and from the shires which were there nearest,
on both sides of the Thames. And oft they fought against the city
of London : but praise be to God that it yet stands sound, and they
there ever met with ill -fare. And then, after mid -winter [a.d. 1010],
took they their way upwards through Chiltern, and so to Oxford, and
burned the city ; and betook themselves then, 'on both sides of the
Thames, towards their ships. Then were they warned that there
were forces gathered at London against them : then went they over
at Staines. ^And thus they went the w'hole winter ; and during
Lent they were in Kent, and repaired their ships.
A.D. 1010. ^This year,* after Easter [9th April], came the
fore-mentioned army into East-Anglia, and landed at Ipswich, and
went forthwith where they understood Ulfcytel was with his forces.
This was on the day called the first of the Ascension of our Lord
[18th May]; and then the East Angles soon lied. Then stood
Cambridge-shire firmly against them. There was slain Aethelstan,
the king's son-in-law, and Oswig and his son, and Wulfric, Leof-
wine's son, and Eadwig, Aefic's brother, and many other good
thanes, and numberless of the people : ^Thurcytel Myranheafod
first began the flight. And the Danes had possession of the
place of "carnage: and there were they horsed; and afterwards
had dominion over East-Anglia, and the land three months
ravaged and burned ; and they even w'ent into the wild fens, and
they destroyed men and 'cattle, and burned throughout the fens :
and Thetford tliey burned, and Grantabridge. And after that they
went southward again to the Thames, and the men who were
horsed rode towards the ships ; and after that, very speedily, they
went w^estward into Oxfordshire, and thence into Buckinghamshire,
and so along the Ouse until they came to Bedford, and so onwards
to Temesford ; and ever burning as they went. Then went they
again to their ships with their booty. And when they went to
their ships, then ought the forces again to have gone out against
them, until they should land ; but then the forces went home :
and when they were eastwards, then were the forces kept west-
wards ; and when they were southwards, then were our forces
northwards. Then were all the witan summoned to the king, and
they were then to counsel how this land might be defended. But
although something might be then counselled, it did not stand even
one month : at last tliere was no chief who would assemble forces,
but each fled as he best might ; nor, at the last, would even one
» " On both sides of the Thames," not in F.
2 This concluding sentence not in F. ^ C. D. E. F.
* F. does not specify the date of this inroad, neither in the first nor the third
sentence.
' F. does not contain this paragrajih.
* .... of the place of carnage and of the Fast Angles, F. ; the passage is al?o
abridged in C. ' F. here concludes the year.
A.D. 1012.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 85
shire assist another. Then before St. Andrew's mass-day [30th
Nov.], came the enemy to Northampton, and they soon burned
the town and took there-about as much as they themselves would ;
and thence they went over Thames into Wessex, and so by Caneg-
marsh, burning all the way. When they had gone so far as they
then would, then came they at mid-winter to their ships.
A.D. 1011. ^In this year sent the king and his witan to the
army, and desired peace, aud promised them tribute and food on
condition that they would cease from their plundering. They had
then overrun, 1st, East Anglia, and 2d, Essex, and 3d, Middlesex,
and 4th, Oxfordshire, and 5th, Cambridgeshire, and 6th, Hert-
fordshire, and 7th, Buckinghamshire, and 8th, Bedfordshire, and
9th, half of Huntingdonshire, and 10th, ^much of Northampton-
shire ; and south of Tliames, all Kent, and Sussex, and Hastings,
and Surry, and Berkshire, and Hampshire, and much of Wilt-
shire. ^All these misfortunes befel us through unwise counsel,
that they were not in time offered tribute, or fought against ; but
when they had done the most evil, then peace and truce were made
with them. And nevertheless, for all the truce and tribute, they
went everywhere in bands, and plundered our miserable people, and
robbed and slew them. And then in this year, between the Nati-
vity of St. Mary and St. Michael's-mass,* they besieged Canter-
bury, and got into it through treachery, because Aelmaer ' betrayed
it, whose life the archbishop Aelfeah had before saved. And
there they took the archbishop Aelfeah, and Aelfweard the king's
steward, and the abbess Leofrune," and bishop Godwin. And abbat
^Aelfmar they let go away. And they took there within all the men
in orders, and men and women : it is not to be told to any man how
many of the people there were. *And they remained within the
city afterwards as long as they would. And when they had
thoroughly searched the city, then went they to their ships, and
led the archbishop with them.
He was then captive erewhile had seen bliss,
who erewhile was in that hapless city,
the head of the English race whence to us came first
and of Christendom. Christendom and bliss.
There might then be seen for God, and for the world
misery, where men oft
And they kept the archbishop with them so long as until the time
that they martyred him,
A.D. 1012. ^In this year came Eadric the ealdorman, and all
the chief witan, clergy and laity, of the English people to London,
before Easter ; Easter-day was then on the date, the ides of April
[13th April]; and they were there then so long as until all the
tribute was paid, after Easter ; that was '"eight and forty thousand
1 C. D. E. F. 2 " Mucli of Northamptonsliire," not in E.
^ From this point, as far as the words, " in this year," F. is silent.
* That is, between the 8th and the 29th September.
^ Aelfmaer, D.
« Leofrune was abbess of St. Mildred's In the Isle of Thanet ; Godwin was
bishop of Rochester; and Aelfmaer was abbot of St. Augustine's at Canterbury.
' Aelmar, D. E. « This sentence is not in F.
^ CD. E. F. 1" In E. F, " vni. thousand pounds."
86 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1013—
pounds. Tlien on the Saturday [19th April] was the army greatly
excited against the bishop, because he would not promise them any
money : but he forbade that any thing should be given for him.
They had also drunk deeply, for wine had been brought there from
the south. Then took they the bishop, led him to their busting on
the eve of Sunday, the octaves of Easter, which was on the M3th
of the kalends of May [19th April] ; and there they then shamefully
slaughtered him : they cast upon him bones and the horns of oxen,
and then one of them struck him with an axe -iron on the head, so
that with the blow he sank down ; and his holy blood fell on the
earth, and his holy soul he sent forth to God's kingdom. "And on
the morrow the body was carried to London, and the bishops
Eadnoth and Aelfun,* and the townsmen, received it with all
reverence, and buried it in St. Paul's minister ; and there God now
manifesteth the miraculous powers of the holy martyr. When the
tribute was paid, and oaths of peace were sworn, then the army
separated widely, in like manner as before it had been gathered
together. Then became subject to the king five and forty ships of
the army, and covenanted with him that they would defend this
country, and that he should feed and clothe them.
A.D. 1013. *In the year after that in which the archbishop
Aelfeg was martyred, the king appointed bishop Lyfing to be arch-
bishop at Canterbury. And in this same year, before the month
of August, came king Swegen with his fleet to Sandwich, and went
then, very soon, about East-Anglia into the mouth < if the Humber,
and so upward along Trent, until he came to Gainsborough. And
then, soon, Uhtred the earl and all the Northumbrians submitted
to him, and all the people in Lindesey, and afterwards the people
in the Five Boroughs,' and soon after, all the army north of Wat-
ling-street ; and hostages were delivered to him from every shire.
* After he had learned that all the people were obedient to him,
then bade he that his army should be victualled and horsed ; and
he then afterwards went southward with all the forces, and com-
mitted the ships ^and the hostages to his son Cnut. And after he
came over Watling-street, they wrought the most evil that any
army could do. Then went he to Oxi(.rd, and the townsmen soon
submitted, and delivered hostages ; and thence to Winchester, and
they did the like. Then went he thence eastward to London, and
much of his pe pie was drowned in the Thames, because they kept
not to any bridge. When he came to the city, then would not the
townsmen submit, but held out against him with all their might,
because king Aethelred was therein, and Tlmrcyl with him. Then
went king Swegen thence to Wallingford, and so over the Thames
westward to Batli, and sate down there with his forces. And
Aethelmaer the ealdorman came thither, and the western thanes
with him, and they all submitted to Swegen, and delivered hostages
' This date does not occur in E. F.
* The first clause in this seutunce is omitted in E. F.
' Of Dorchester and London. * C. D. E. F.
° Namely, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingh.im, Stamford, and Derby.
" As far as " horsed " does not occur in F.
' These three words, " and the hostages," do not occur in D.
A.D. 1014.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 87
for themselves. ^And when he had thus succeeded, then went he
northward to his ships ; and then all the people held him for full
king. And after that the townsmen of London submitted, and
delivered hostages, ^because they dreaded lest he should utterly
undo them. Then Swegen ordered a full-tribute and provisions
for his army during the winter; and Thurkyl ordered the like for
the army which lay at Greenwich : and for all that, they plundered
as oft as they would. Then was this people nothing benefited either
from the south or from the north. Then was king Aethelred some
while with the fleet which lay in the Thames ; ^and the lady then
departed over sea to her brother Richard,* and Aelfsige, abbat of
Peterborough, with her. And the king sent bishop Aelfun with
the ethelings Eadward and Aelfred, over sea, that he might have
charge of them. And the king departed from the fleet at mid-
winter into the Isle of Wight, and was there during that tide ;
and after that tide he went over the sea to Richard, and was there
with him until such time as Swegen was dead.
^And the while that the lady was with her brother beyond sea,
Aelfsige, abbat of Peterborough, who was there with her, went to
the minster which is called Bonneval, where St. Florentine's body
lay. There found he a poor place, a poor abbat, and poor monks ;
for they had been plundered. Then bought he there of the abbat
and of the monks St. Florentine's body, all except the head, for five
hundred pounds ; and then when he came home again, then made
he an offering of it to Christ and St. Peter.
A.D. 1014. "^ In this year 'king Swegen ended his days, ^at
Candlemas, on the third of the nones of February [3d Feb.].
'And that same year Aelfwig was consecrated bishop of London,
at York, on St. Juliana's mass-day [I6i:h Feb.].*" And all the fleet
then chose Cnut for king. Then counselled all the witan "who
were in England, clergy and laity, that they should send after king
Aethelred ; and they declared that no lord could be dearer to them
than their natural lord, if he would rule them better than he had
before done. Then sent the king his son Eadward hither with his
messengers, and ordered them to greet all his people ; and said
that he would be to them a faithful lord, and amend all those
things which they all abhorred, and each of those things should be
forgiven which have been done or said to him, on condition that
they all, with one consent, would be obedient to him, without
deceit. And they then established full friendship, by word and by
pledge, on either half, and declared every Danish king an outlaw
from England for ever. Then, during Lent, king Aethelred came
home to his own people ; and he was gladly received by them all.
1 The narrative is here abridged in F.
2 As far aa " Thames " is omitted in F.
^ . . "and the kingAegelred sent his queen Aelfgive Ymma over the sea," &c. F.
* He was duke of Normandy.
5 The conclusion of the year is from E. ^ .q, J) e. F.
^ In C. D. E. he is not designated king.
* ..." at Candlemas," not in F.
^ This sentence does not occur in C. E. F.
" In 1014 this fell upon a Tuesday.
'1 ..." who were in England," not in D. E.
88 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1015—
^Thcn, after Sw'cgen was dead, Cnut sate with liis army at Gains-
borough until Easter [17th April]; and it was agreed between him
and the people of Lindsey that they should find him horses, and
that afterwards they should all go out together, and plunder. Then
came king Aethelred thither, to Lindsey, with his full force, before
they were ready : and then they plundered, and burned, and slew
all the people whom they could reach. And Cnut went away
out with his fleet, and thus the poor people were deceived through
him, and then he went southward until he came to Sandwich ;
and there he caused the hostages to be put on shore who had been
delivered to his father, and cut off" their hands, and ears, and noses.
*And besides all these evils, the king ordered the army which lay
at Greenwich to be paid twenty-one thousand pounds. And in
this year, on the eve of St. Michael's mass [28th Sept.], came the
great sea-flood wide throughout this land, and ran so far up as it
never before had done, and washed away many towns, and a count-
less number of people.
A.D. 1015. ^In this year was the great meeting at Oxford ; and
there Eadric the ealdorman betrayed Siferth^ and Morcore, the
chief thanes in the Seven Boroughs. He allured them into his
chamber, and there within they were cruelly slain. And the king
then took all their possessions, and ordered Siferth's widow to be
taken, and to be brought to Malmesbury. Then, after a little
space, Eadmund the etheling went there and took the woman,
contraiy to the king's will, and had her for his wife. Then, before
the Nativity of St^Mary [8th Sept.], the etheling went thence,
from the west, north to the Five Boroughs, and soon took posses-
sion of all Siferth's property, and Morcore's ; and the people all
submitted to him. And then, during the same time, came king
Cnut to Sandwich ; and soon after went about Kent into Wessex,
until he came to the mouth of the Frome: and then he ravaged in
Dorset, and in Wiltshire, and in Somerset. Then lay the king
sick at Cosham. Then gathered Eadric the ealdorman forces,
and the etheling Eadmund in the north. WHien they came together,
then would the ealdorman betray the etheling, ^but he was not
able : and they then parted without a battle on that account, and
gave way to their foes. And Eadric the ealdorman then enticed
forty ships from the king, and then went over to Cnut. "And the
men of Wessex submitted, and delivered hostages, and horsed the
army; and then was it there until mid-winter.
A.D. 1016. In this year came Cnut with 'his anny, and Eadric
the ealdorman with him, over Thames into Mercia at Cricklade.
And then they went to Warwickshire, during the mid-winter's tide,
and ravaged, and burned, and slew all that they could come at.
''Then began the etheling Eadmund to gather his forces. When
' The greater portion of thia sentence is omitted by F.
2 F. omits this sentence. ^ C. D. E. F. * Sigeforth, E. F.
* These five words are omitted in C. D.
* F. has not this concluding sentence.
^ In.stead of "with his army," D. and E. read, "with one hundred and sixty ships."
* From tliis point F. omits as far as the passage ending with the words " to
their ships."
A.D. 1016.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 89
the forces were assembled, then would it not content them except
it so were that the king were there with them, and they might have
tlie help of the citizens of London : then gave they up the expedition,
and each man went him away home. Then after that tide, the
forces were again called out, so that each man, who was able to go,
should come forth, under full penalties ; and they sent to the king
at London, and prayed him that he would come to meet the forces
with such help as he could gather. When they all had come toge-
ther, then it availed them nothing more than it oft before had
done. Then was it made known to the king that they would
betray him ; they who ought to have been of aid to him. Then
left he the forces and returned to London. Then rode the etheling
Eadmund into Northumbria to Uhtred the earl, and every man
thought that they would assemble forces against king Cnut.
Then marched they into Staffordshire, and into Shropshire, and to
Chester ; and they plundered on their part, and Cnut on his part.
He went out through Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and
thence to Huntingdonshire, 'and so into Northamptonshire along
the fens to Stamford, and then into Lincolnshire ; then thence to
Nottinghamshire, and so to Northumbria towards York. When
Uhtred heard this, then left he off his plundering, and hastened
northwards, and then submitted, from need, and all the North-
umbrians with him ; and he delivered hostages : and, notwith-
standing, they slew him, ^through the counsel of Eadric the ealdor-
man, and Thurcytel, son of Nafena, with him. And then, after
that, king Cnut appointed Yric to be his earl in Northumbria, in
like manner as Uhtred had been ; and afterwards went southward,
by another way, all to the west : and then before Easter [1st April],
came all the army to their ships. And the etheling Eadmund
went to London to his father. And then, after Easter, went king
Cnut with all his ships towards London. Then befel it that king
Aethelred died, before the ships arrived. He ended his days on
St. George's mass-day [23d April], and he held his kingdom with
great toil and under great difficulties the while that his life lasted.
And then, after his end, all the witan who were in London, and the
townsmen, chose Eadmund to be king : and he strenuously defended
his kingdom the while that his time lasted. Then came the ships
to Greenwich at Rogation days [7th May]. And within a little
space they went to London, and they dug a great ditch on the
south side, and dragged their ships to the west side of the bridge ;
and then afterwards they ditched the city around, so that no one
could go either in or out : and they repeatedly fought against the
city ; but they [the citizens] strenuously withstood them. ^Then
had the king Eadmund, before that, gone out ; and then he over-
ran Wessex, and all the people submitted to him. And soon after
that he fought against the army at Pen, by Gillingham. And a
second battle he fought, after midsummer, at Sceorstan; and there
' The four following words do not occur in E.
^ . . . " through the counsel of Eadric the ealdorman." These words do not
occur in D. E.
* The remainder of the year ia omitted in F.
90 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. A.D 1016—
much slaughter was made on either side, and the armies of them-
selves separated. In that battle Eadric the ealdorman, and Aelraaer
darling, were helping the army against king Eadmund. And then
gathered he his forces for the third time, and went to London, ^all
north of Thames, and so out through Claeighanger ; and relieved
the townsmen, and drove the army in flight to their ships. And
then, about two days after, the king went over at Brentford, and
there fought against the army, and put it tf) flight : and there many
of the English people were drowned, from their own carelessness :
they who went before the forces, and would take booty. And
after that the king w^ent into Wessex, and collected his forces.
Then went the army, soon, to London, and beset the city around,
and strongly fought against it, as well by water as by land. But
the Almighty God delivered it.
The enemy went then, after that, from London, with their ships,
into the Arewa [the Orwell], and there went up, and proceeded into
Mercia, and destroyed and burned whatsoever they overran, as is
their wont, ^ and provided themselves with food : and they con-
ducted, as well their ships as their droves, into the Medway. Then
king Edmund assembled, ft )r the fourth time, all his forces, ^ and
went over the Thames at Brentford, and went into Kent ; and the
army fled before him, with their horses, into Sheppey : and the
king slew as many of them as he could overtake. And Eadric
the ealdorman went then to meet the king at Aylesford : never was
anything more ill-advised than this was.*
The army then went again up into Essex, and passed into
Mercia, and destroyed whatever it overran.
Wlien the king learned that the army was upward, then assembled
he, for the fifth time, all the English nation, and followed after
them, and overtook them in Essex, at the down which is called
Assandun : and there they strenuously joined battle. Then did
Eadric the ealdorman, as he had oft before done, begin the flight
first with the Magesaetas, and so betrayed his royal lord and the
whole people of the English race. There Cnut had the victory ;
and all the English nation fought against him. There was slain
bishop Eadnoth,' and abbat Wulsige, and Aelfric the ealdorman,
and Godwine"* the ealdorman of Lindsey, and Ulfcytel of East-
Anglia, and Aethelweard, son of Aethelwinc^ the ealdorman ; and
all the nobility of the English race was there destroyed.
Then, after this battle, went king Cnut up with his army into
Gloucestershire, where he learned that king Eadmund was.
Then advised Eadric the ealdorman, and the witan who were
there, that the kings should be mutually reconciled. And they
delivered hostages mutually ; and the kings came together at
Olanege *near Deerhurst, and then confirmed their friendship as
' As far as " Claeighanger " is omitted in D. E.
2 The conchision of the sentence is not in F.
^ The passage of the Thames at Brentft)rd is omitted in F.
* This passage is somewhat obscure in the original; see the corresponding
sentence in Florence of Worcester. * He was bishop of Dorchester.
'■ This individual is not mentioned in F. ^ Aethelsig, E. F.
* . . . " near Deerhurst" do not occur in C. E. F.
A.D. 1019.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 91
well by pledge as by oath, and settled the tribute for the army.
And they then separated with this reconcilement : and Eadmund
obtained Wessex, and Cnut, Mercia.' ^The army then went to
their ships with the things they had taken. And the men of London
made a truce with the army, and bought themselves peace : and
the army brought their ships to London, and took up their winter-
quarters therein. Then, at St. Andrew's mass [30th Nov.], died king
Eadmund ; and his body lies at Glastonbury, with his grandfather
Edgar. ^And in the same year died Wulfgar, abbat of Abingdon ;
and Aethelsige succeeded to the abbacy.
A.D. 1017. * In this year king Cnut obtained the whole realm
of the English race, and divided it into four parts : Wessex to him-
self, and East Anglia to Tliurkyll, and Mercia to Eadric, and
Northumbria to Irke. And in this year was Eadric the ealdorman
slain Mn London, very justly, ''and Northman, son of Leofwine the
ealdorman, and Aethelweard, son of Aethelmaer the great, and
Brihtric, son of Aelfeh, in Devonshire. And king Cnut banished
Eadwig the etheling, ^ and afterwards commanded him to be slain,
and Eadwi, king of the churls. And then, before the kalends of
August, the king commanded the relict of king Aethelred, Richard's
daughter, to be fetched for his wife, ^that was Elfgive in English,
Ymma in French.
A.D. 1017. ^This year king Cnut was chosen king.
A.D, 1018. ^"In this year the tribute was delivered throughout
the whole English nation; that was altogether, two and "seventy
thousand pounds, besides that which the townsmen of London
paid, which was ten and a half ^^ thousand pounds. "And then
some of the army went to Denmark, and forty ships remained with
king Cnut. And the Danes and the Angles agreed, at Oxford,
^Ho live under Edgar's law. '^And this year abbat Aethelsige died at
Abingdon, and Aethelwine succeeded him.
A.D. 1019. "This year king Cnut went ^^with nine ships to
Denmark, and there abode all the winter.
A.D. 1019. "And this winter died archbishop i^Aelfstan : he was named
Lifing ; and he was a very provident man, both as to God and as to the
world.
' " Mercia " is the reading of E. and F. ; but D, reads instead, " the north
portion." See Florence.
^ This and the greater portion of the next sentence do not occur in F.
3 Not in D. F. * C. D. E. F.
^ ..." in London, very justly," do not occur in C. D. E.
'' The passage as far as to the words " to be slain " is omitted in F.
' This clause of the sentence is not found in D. E. ; nor is that which imme-
diately follows respecting Eadwi in C. F.
** These concluding words do not occur in C. D. E.
3 From A. 10 C. D. E. F,
^1 F. states the amount at seventy-two thousand pounds. E. says seventy -two
poimds. 12 -^ 3^jj(j -p. " eleven pounds."
^' This sentence is not in F.
'* The concluding words of this sentence are from D.
'5 Not in D. le C. D. E. F.
'' These three words, "with nine ships," do not occur in C. E. F. Petrie's transla-
tion here reads " forty," though the text supports the rendering recoi-ded above.
" D. in continuation of a.d. 1019. >" Of Canterbury.
92 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1020—
A.D. 1020. 'In this year died archbishop ^Lyfing : and king
Cnut came again to England. ^And then, at Easter [17th April],
there was a great council at Cirencester : then was outlawed
Aethelweard the ealdorman, ^and Eadwig, king of the churls. And
in this year went the king toAssandune/ and archbishop Wulstan,®
and Thurkyl the earl, and many bishops and also abbats, and many
monks with them, and hallowed the minster at Assandune. 'And
^Aethelnoth the monk, who was dean at Christ- Church, was in
the same year, on' the ides of November [13th Nov.],'" consecrated
bishop at Christ- Church," '^by archbishop Wulstan.
A.D. 1020. "And caused to be built there a minster of stone and lime,
for the souls of the men who there were slain, and gave it to one of his
priests, whose name was Stigand.
A.D. 1021. '*In this year, ''at Martin-mass [11th Nov.], king
Cnut outlawed Thurkyl the earl. "'And bishop Aelfgar/'' the alms-
giver, died on Christmas -morn.
A.D. 1022. '*This year king Cnut went out with his ships to
the Isle of Wight. And archbishop Aethelnoth went to Rome,
"and was there received by ^"Benedict, the honourable pope, with
much worship ; and he, with his own hands, put his pall upon him,
and very honourably consecrated him archbishop, and blessed him,
on ^'the nones of October [7th Oct.]. ^'And the archbishop soon
after, on the self-same day, sang mass therewith : and then there-
after was honourably entertained by the same pope, and also him-
self took the pall from St. Peter's altar ; and then aftenvards he
blithely went home to his country. ^''And abbat Leofwine, who
had been unjustly driven out from Ely, was his companion ; and
he cleared himself of everjlhing that was said against him, as the
pope instructed him, in the presence of the archbishop, and of all
the fellowship which was with him.
A.D. 1022. 2*And afterwards with the paU he there performed mass as
the pope instructed him : and he feasted after that with the pope ; and
afterwards went home with a full blessing.
A.D. 1023. ^*This year king Cnut came again to England, and
Thurcil and he were reconciled ; and he committed Denmark and
his son to the keeping of Thurcil ; and the king took Thurcil's son
» C. D. E. F.
2 The death of Lifing ia not mentioned in D. at this point.
•'' This 8eiitence is not found in F.
* This clause is not in D. E.
•'" As far as " to Assandune," not in E. •' Of York.
7 To the end of the year is omitted in C. ' Aegeluoth, F.
' The date is wanting in E. F.
" In this year being the twenty-second Sunday after Trinitj-.
" At Canterbury. '^ Not in D. "
i' From F. " C. D. E. F.
'^ The date does not occur in F.
""' This sentence is not in C. '' Of Elmhain.
"* C. D. E. F., the last of which MSS. passes over the first scutcnco.
" The remainder of the year does not occur in C.
2" ]5enedict the Eighth.
^' This date does not occur in E.
-2 On this year it fell upon a Sunday.
^' E. F., as far as the end of the year, transpose this pa."?sage.
"' E. F., but transposed. *^ The first sentence ie from C.
A.D. 1028.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 93
with him to England. ^This year died archbishop Wuh'stan :^ and
Aelfric succeeded him ; and archbishop Aegelnoth blessed him at
Canterbury. ^This year king Cnut, within London, in St. Paul's
minster, gave full leave to archbishop Aethelnoth and bishop Bryht-
wine,* and to all the servants of God who were with them, that
they might take up from the tomb the archbishop St. Aelfeah.
And they then did so, on the 6th of the ides of June [8th June].^
And the illustrious king, and the archbishop and suffragan bisliops,
and earls, and very many clergy, and also laity, carried, in a ship,
his holy body over the Thames to Southwark, and there delivered
the holy martyr to the archbishop and his companions ; and they
then, with a worshipful band and winsome joy, bore him to
Rochester. Then, on the third day, came Imma the lady, with
her royal child Hearda-Cnut : and then they all, with much state
and bliss, and songs of praise, bore the holy archbishop into
Canterbury; and then worshipfully brought him into Christ's
Church, on the 3d of the ides of June [11th June]. Again, after
that, on the eighth day, the 17th of the kalends of July [15th
June], archbishop Aethelnoth, and bishop Aelfsie," and bishop
Bryhtwine, and all those who were with them, deposited St.
Aelfeah's holy body on the north side of Christ's altar, to the
glory of God, and the honour of the holy archbishop, and the
eternal health of all who there daily seek to his holy body with a
devout heart and with all humility. God Almighty have mercy on
all christian men, through St. Aelfeah's holy merits.
A.D. 1023. ^And he caused St. Aelfege's remains to be borne from
London to Canterbury.
A.D. 1023. *And the same year archbishop Aethelnoth bore St. Aelfeah's,
the archbishop's, remains to Canterbury, from London.
A.D. 1024.'
A.D. 1025. "This year king Cnut went to Denmark, with his
ships, to the holm at the holy river. And there came against him
Ulf and Eglaf, and a very great army, as well a land army as a fleet
of Swedes. And there very many men were destroyed on king
Cnut's side, as well of Danish men as of English : and the Swedes
had possession of the place of carnage.
A.D. 1026. ^^This year bishop '^Aelfric went to Rome, and re-
ceived his pall of pope '^ John, on the 2d of the ides of November
[12th Nov.].
A.D. 1027.
A.D. 1028. '^ This year king Cnut went from England with fifty
ships ^^of English thanes, to Norway, '"and drove king Olaf out of
the land, and possessed himself of all that land.
1 From E. F. 2 Archbishop of York.
3 From D. 4 Bishop of Sherburne.
5 In this year the 8th of June fell upon a Saturday.
6 Bishop of Winchester. ' C. in transposition.
* E. F. in transposition.
® "Here Richard the Second died, and Richard his son reigned nearly one year ;
and after him Robert his brother reigned eight years." E. Latin.
'" E. F. 11 D. 12 He was archbishop of York.
1^ John the Nineteenth. n C. D. E. F.
'5 " Of English thanes " not in C. D. E., but it occurs in F., both in the Saxon
and Latin texts. is c. omits the conclusion of the year.
94 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1029—
A.D. 1029. ^ This year king Cnut came home again to England.
^And so soon as he came to England, he gave to Christ-Church at
Canterbuiy the haven at Sandwich, and all the dues that arise
thereof, on either side of the haven : so that, lo ! when the flood is
all at the highest, and all at the fullest, if a ship be floating so nigh
the land as it nighest may, and there be a man standing in the ship,
and he have a taper ax in his ^ ... .
A.D. 1030. * This year was king Olaf slain in Norway by his
own people ; and afterwards was sainted. And in this year, before
that, died Hacun, the doughty earl, at sea.
A.D. 1030. 5 This year came king Olaf again into Norway, and the people
gathered against him, and fought against him ; and he was there slain.
A.D. 1031. "This year king Cnut went to ^Rome. And so
soon as he came home then went he into Scotland : and the king
of the Scots, ^Malcolm, submitted to him, and became his man,
but that he held only a little while ; "and two other kings, Maelbaeth
and Jehmarc. And Robert, earl of Normandy, went to Jerusalem,
and there died ; and William, who was afterNvards king in England,
succeeded to Normandy, though he w^as a child.
A.D. 1032. '"In this year appeared the wild fire, such as no
man before remembered ; and moreover on all sides it did harm,
in many places. And in the same year died Aelfsige, bishop
at Winchester ; and Aelfwine, the king's priest, succeeded thereto.
A.D. 1033. "This year died bishop Leofsie, and his body rests at
Worcester : and Brihteh was raised to his see. '"In this year died
Merehwit, bishop of Somerset; " and he is buried at Glastonbury.
A.D. 1034. "This year died bishop Aetheric,'^ and he lies at
Ramsey. "This same year died Maelcolm, king in Scotland.
A.D. 1035. ''This year died king Cnut; and Harold, his son,
succeeded to the kingdom. He departed at Shaftesbury, '"on the
2d of the ides of November [12th Nov.] ; and they bore him thence
to Winchester, and there they buried him. And Aelfg)'fu, Ymma, the
lady, then sat there within : and Harold, who said that he was son
of Cnut and of the other Aelfgj'fe, though it w^as not true ; he sent
thither, and caused to be taken from her all the best treasures,
which she could not withhold, that king Cnut had possessed ; and
nevertheless she still sat there within, as long as she could.
A.D. 1036. "This year Aelfred the innocent ethehng, son of
king Aethelred, came in hither, and would go to his mother, who
1 This first sentence is from D. E. F. - A. F.
' The Latin portion of F. completes the portion in which the Saxon is hero
defective, but it has relation only to the jurisdiction of the church of Canterbury,
and is of no public interest.
4 C. 5 D. E. « D. E. F.
' Canute's journey to Rome is placed by Wippo, a contemporaneous writer, in
the year 1027. See Pistorlus, iii. 472.— f*.
8 The name of the Scottish king does not occur in D. F.
3 The conclusion of the year is not in D. " E. F.
" The first sentence not in D.
>2 The conclusion of the year from E. F. " He was bishop of Wells.
'* C. D. E. '* Namely, of Dorchester.
1" This concluding sentence does not occur in C.
" C. D. 1" This date is wanting in C. '» C. D.
A.D. 1037.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 95
sat at Winchester ; 'but that neither Godwine the earl, nor the
other men also who had much power, would allow him because
the cry was then greatly in favour of Harold, though that was
unjust.
But Godwine^ him then let. The etheling still lived,
and him in prison set ; every ill they him vowed,
and his companions he dispersed; until it was decreed
and some divers ways slew ; that he should be led
some they for money sold, to Ely-bmy,
some cruelly slaughtered, thus bound.
some did they bind. Soon as he came to land,
some did they blind, in the ship he was blinded ;
some did they mutilate, and him thus blind
some did they scalp : they brought to the monks :
nor was a bloodier deed and he there abode
done in this land the while that he lived.
since the Danes came. After that him they buried,
and here accepted peace. as well was his due
Now is our trust in full worthily,
the beloved God, as he worthy was,
that they are in bliss, at the west end,
blithely with Christ, the steeple well-nigh,
who were without guilt in the south-aisle.
so miserably slain. His soul is with Christ.
A.D. 1036. 3 This year died king Cuut at Shaftesbury, and he is buried
at Winchester in the Old-Minster : and he was king over all England very
nigh twenty years. * And soon after his decease there was a meeting of all
the witan at Oxford ; and Leofi-ic the earl, and almost all the thanes north
of the Thames, and the " hthsmen " at London, chose Harold for chief of
all England, him and his brother Hardacnut who was in Denmark. And
Godwine the earl and all the chief men of ^Wessex withstood it as long as
they could ; but they were unable to effect anything in opposition to it.
And then it was decreed that Aelfgifu, Hardacnut 's mother, should dwell at
Winchester with the king's, her son's, huscarls, and hold all Wessex in his
power ; and Godwine the earl was their chief man. Some men said of
Harold that he was the son of king Cnut and of Aelfgive daughter of
Aelfelm the ealdorman, but it seemed quite incredible to many men ; and
he was nevertheless full king over all England.
A.D. 1037. ''This year was Harald chosen king over all, and
Hartha- Cnut forsaken, because he stayed too long in Denmark ; and
then they drove out his mother Aelfgyfe, the queen, without any
kind of mercy, against the stormy winter : and she came then to
Bruges beyond sea; and Baldwin the earP there well received her,
and there kept her the while she had need. And before, in this
year, died Aefic the noble dean at Evesham.
' Instead of these words, D. reads thus, " and those who then were of great
power m the land did not permit this."
2 D. gives such a turn to the sentence as to avoid mentioning Godwin's name.
3 E. F.
* F. omits as far as the word " Oxford," and also the words " and the ' liths-
men' at London."'
* Instead of the conclusion of the year, F. adds, . . "withstood it, but they sped
nothing whatever. And he was full king over all England."
6 C. D. 7 Earl of Flanders,
96 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1037—
A.D. 1037. iThis year was driven out Aelfgife, king ^Cnut's relict; she
was king Hardacanute's mother ; and she then sought the protection of
Baldwine south of the sea, and he gave her a dwelhng in Bruges, and pro-
tected and kept her, the while that she there was.
A.D. 1038. ^This year died Aethelnoth, the good *arclibishop,
and Aethelric, bishop in ^Sussex, Svho desired of God that he
would not let him live, any while, after his beloved father Aethel-
noth ; and accordingly, within seven days after, he departed, and
bishop Aelfric' in East Anglia, and bishop Bryhteh in Wor-
cestershire, on the 13th of the kalends of January [20th Dec]
*And then bishop Eadsige succeeded to the archbishopric, and
Grymcytel to the bishopric in Sussex, and bishop Living to Wor-
cestershire and to Gloucestershire.
A.D. 1038. ^This j'ear died Aethelnoth, the "good archbishop, on the
kalends of November [1st Nov.], and a httle after, Aethelric, bishop in
Sussex ; and then before Christmas, Brihteh, bishop in Worcestershire, and
soon Aelfric, bishop in East AngUa.
A.D. 1039. "This year was the great wind : and bishop Bryht-
maer died at Lichfield. And the Welsh slew Eadwine, brother of
Leofric the earl, and Thurcil, and Aelfget, and veiy many good men
with them. And this year also came Harthacnut to Bruges,
where his mother was.
A.D. 121039. This year king Harold died at Oxford, on ^Hhe 16th of the
kalends of April [17th March], and he was buried at AVestminster. "And
he ruled England four years and sixteen weeks ; and in his days sixteen
ships were retained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each steersman,
in Mke manner as had been before done in the days of king Cnut. And in
this same year came king Hardacnut to Sandwich, '* seven days before
midsummer. And he was soon acknowledged as well by English as by
Danes ; though his advisers afterwards grievously requited it, when they
decreed that seventy-two ships should be retained in pay, at the rate of eight
marks for each steersman. "^And in this same year the sester of wheat
went up to hfty-live pence, and even further.
A.D. 1040. ''This year died king I larald. Then sent they after
Harthacnut to Bruges ; thinking that they did well. And he then
came hither with sixty ships before midsummer, and then imposed
a very heavy tribute, so that it could hardly be levied ; that was
eight marks for each steersman, and all were then averse to him who
before had desired him ; and moreover he did nothing royal during
his whole reign. He caused the dead Hai-ald to be taken up, and
» E.F.
2 . . . "the king'.s relict, and the mother of Eadward and Hardecnut." F.
3 C. D. * Of Canterbury. '^ Of Selsey.
' This incident, as far as the word " departed," does not occur in C.
' The death of Aolfric, bishop of Elmliam, is not in D.
« To the end of the year from E. F. » E. F.
" This appellation is omitted in F. '' C.
'2 E. F. From this time the dates in these two MSS. are often faulty. Harold
is here said to have reigned four years and sixteen weeks, although Cnut's death,
November 12th, is placed under the year 1036, and the death of Hardacnut, and
the coronation of Edward, which belongs unquestionably to the year 1043, are in
like manner misdated. — P.
" The date is wanting in F. See A.D. 1010.
" F. omits as far as the word " Cmit." " The exact date not in F.
'" The concluding sentence not in F. " C. D.
A.D. 1043.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 97
had him cast into a fen. ^This year archbishop Eadsige ' went to
Rome.^
A.D. 1040. * This year was the "here-geld" paid; that was twenty-one
thousand pounds and ninety-nine pounds. And after that they paid to
thirty-two ships, eleven thousand pounds and forty-eight pounds. And, in
this same year, came Eadward, son of Icing Aetheh-ed, hither to land, from
AVeal-land ; he was brother of king Hardacnut : they were both sons of
Aelfgive ; she was daughter of earl Kichard.
A.D. 1041. ^This year Harthacnut caused all Worcestershire
to be ravaged, on account of his two house-carls, who demanded the
lieavy impost ; when the people slew them in the town within the
minster. And this year, soon after, came from beyond sea Eadward,
his brother on the mother's side, king Aethelred's son, who before
for many years had been driven from his country ; and yet was he
sworn king : and he then abode thus in his brother's court while
he lived. And in this year also Harthacnut betrayed Eadulf the
earl, while under his protection: and he became then a belier of
his "wed." "And this year bishop Egelric^ was ordained at York,
on the 3d of the ides of January [11th Jan.]*
A.D. ^1041. This year died king Hardacnut at Lambeth, on the 6th of the
ides of June [8th June]: and he was king over all England two years
wanting ten days ; and he is buried in the Old-minster at Winchester with
king Canute his father. "And his mother, for his soul, gave to the New-
minster the head of St. Valentine the martyr. And before he was buried,
all people chose Edward for king at London : "may he hold it the while
that God shall grant it to him ! And all that year was a very heavy time,
in many things and divers, as well iu respect to ill seasons as to the fruits
of the earth. And so much cattle perished in the year as no man before
remembered, ^-as well through various diseases as through tempests. And
in this same time died Aeulf [sine], abbat of Peterborough ; and then Arnwi
the monk was chosen abbat, because he was a very good man, and of great
simplicity.
A.D. 1042. '^This year died king Harthacnut as he stood at his
drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with a terrible convulsion :
and then they who were there nigh took hold of him ; and he after
that spake not one word : and he died on the 6th of the ides of
June [8th June]. And all people then acknowledged Edward for
king, as was his true natural right.
A.D. "1043, This year was Edward consecrated king at Win-
chester, on the first day of Easter, with much pomp : and then was
Easter on the 3d of the nones of April [3d April]. Archbishop
Eadsige consecrated him, and before all the people well instructed
him ; and for his own need, and all the people's, well admonished
him. And Stigant the priest was blessed bishop of the ^^East
Angles. And soon after, the king caused all the lands which his
mother possessed to be seized into his hands, and took from her all
' This sentence is from A. ^ Archbishop of Canterbury.
' " and king Harold died," A. add.
* E. F. » C. D.
0 This sentence does not occur in C. ' He was bishop of Durham.
s In 1041 this day feU upon a Sunday.
9 E. F. A.D. 1012, A. See the following year.
'" This sentence does not occur in E. " This clause is omitted in P.
'2 To the end of the year not iu F. " c. D.
" A. C. A.D. 1042, E. F. " Namely, of Elmham.
VOL. II. H
98 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1043—
that she possessed in gold, and in silver, 'and in things unspeakable,
because she had before held it too closely with him. 'And soon
after, Stigant was deposed from his bishopric, and all that he
possessed was seized into the king's hands, because he was nearest
to his mother's counsel, and she went just as he advised her, as
people thought.
A.D. 1043. 'This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester on the
first day of Easter [3d April]. And this year, fourteen days before
Andre w's-mass [16th Nov.], the king was advised to ride from Gloucester,
and Leofric the earl, and Godwiue the earl, and Sigwarth [Siward] the
earl, with their followers, to Winchester, unawares upon the lady [Emma] ;
and they bereaved her of all the treasures which she possessed, they were
not to be told, because before that she had been very hard with the king
her son ; inasmuch as she had done less for him than he would, before
he was king, and also since : and they suffered her after that to remain
therein.
*Thi3 year king Edward took the daughter [Eadgithe] of Godwine the
earl for his wife. And in this same year died bishop Brihtwold, and he
held the bishopric thirty-eight years, ^that was the bishopric of Sher-
borne, and Hereman the king's priest succeeded to the bishopric. "^And in
this year Wulfric was hallowed abbat of St. Augustine's, at Christmas, on
Stephen's mass-day [26th Dec], by leave of the king, and, on accoimt of
his great infirmity, of abbat Aelfstane.
A.D. '1044. This year archbishop Eadsige^ gave up the bishopric
by reason of his infirmity, and he blessed thereto Siward, abbat of
Abingdon, as bishop, by the king's leave and counsel, and Godwine's
the earl's : it was known to few men else before it was done, because
the archbishop thought that some other man would obtain or buy it
whom he could less trust in, and be pleased with, if more men
should know of it. And in this year was a ver)' great famine over
all England, and corn was so dear as no man before remembered ; so
that the sester of wheat went up to sixty pence, °eiud even further.
And in the same year the king went out to Sandwich with thirty-
five ships : and Aethelstan the church ward obtained the abbacy at
Abingdon. "And Stigand reobtained his bishopric. And in the
same year" king Edward took Eadgythe, daughter of Godwine the
earl, to wife, ten days before Candlemas [23d Jan.].
A.D. 1- 1044. This year died Living, bishop '^ in Devonshire, and Leofric
succeeded thereto: he was the king's priest. And "in this same year
died Aelfstan, abbat of St. Augustine's, on the third of the nones of July
[5th July]. And **in this same year was outlawed Osgot Clapa.
* " and in thing.? unspeakable," not in F.
2 To the end of the year not in E. F. ' From D.
■' The date of 1043 is hero repeated in MS. E. a.d. 1044, F.
* The words " that was the bishopric of Sherborne," do not occur in E.
« E. F.
7 From C. A.D. 1043, E. F. « Archbishop of Canterbury.
" From this point as far as the word " bishopric," F. is silent.
'" This sentence is not in C.F. In explanation of it see a.d. 1043.
" There are some anomalous appearances with respect to the time of beginning
the year in MS. C. before this period; but henceforward to the year 1053, it can
liardly be questioned that the computation from Easter is followed in that copy.
This event, therefore, according to our mode of reckoning, would belong to the
year 1045.— J".
'2 E. A.D. 1045, F. See a.d. 1045, 1046. » "of Exeter," F.
'* "in this same year" do not occur in F., neither does the exact date speci-
fied in E.
'^ F. here again omits the words " iu this same year."
A.D. 1040.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 99
A.D. 1045. 'In this year died bishop Bryhtwold/ on the 10th
of the kalends of May [2 2d April] ; and king Edward gave the
bishopric to Heraman his priest. And in the same summer king
Edward went out with his ships to Sandwich ; and there so grea.
a force was gathered, that no man had seen a greater fleet in this
land. And in this same year^ died bishop Lyvync, on the 13th of
tlie kalends of April [20th March] ; and the king gave the bishopric
to Leofric his priest. *This year died Aelfward, bishop of London,
on the 8th of the kalends of August [25th July]. He was first
abbat of Evesham, and greatly advanced the minster whilst he was
there. He went then to Ramsey, and there gave up his life. And
Manni was chosen abbat,' and ordained on the 4th of the ides ot
August [10th Aug.]. And in this year was driven out Gunnilde,
the noble woman, king Cnut's niece ; and she, after that, stayed at
Bruges a long while, and afterwards went to Denmark.
A.D. " 1045. This year died Grymkj-tel, bishop iu Sussex, and Heca, the
king's priest, succeeded thereto. And 'in this year died Aelfwine, bishoi)
of Winchester, ^on the 4th of the kalends of September [29th Aug.] ; and
Stigand, bishop to the north,^ succeeded thereto. And in the same year
Swegen the earl went out to Baldwin's land" to Bruges, and abode there aU
the winter; and then in summer he went out.
A.D, 1046. "In this year Swegen the earl went into Wales, and
Griffin the Northern king^^ went with him: and they delivered hos-
tages to him. As he was on his way homewards, then commanded
he to be brought unto him the abbess of Leominster : and he had
her as long as he listed ; and after that he let her go home. And
in this same year Osgod Clapa was outlawed before midwinter.
And in this same year, after "Candlemas, came the severe winter,
with frost and with snow, and with all kinds of tempestuous weather,
so that there was no man then alive who could remember so severe
a winter as this was, as well through mortality of men as murrain
of cattle ; even birds and fishes perished through the great cold and
famine.
A.D. 1046. i^This year died Brihtwold, bishop in Wiltshire, and Hereman
was appointed to his see. In that year king Eadward gathered a large
ship-force at Sandwich, on account of the threatening of Magnus in
Norway : but his and Swegen's contention in Denmark hindered his
coming here.
A.D. '^ 1046. This year died Aethelstan, abbot of Abingdon, and Spearhafoc,
monk of St. Edmund' s-bury, succeeded him. And in this same year died
bishop Siward,^*^ and archbishop Eadsige again obtained the whole bishopric.'''
' As far as the word " priest " is from C.
2 He was bishop of Ramsbury. ^ A.D. 1046.
* From D. to the end of the year, in which MS. the following events are placed
under the year 1045, but this arises apparently from the omission of 1044, to
which year, according to Florence of Worcester, who iised a copy similar to D.,
they belong; and the like error continues in this MS. imtil 1052, where it is
corrected by the repetition of that date. — P. ^ Of Evesham.
« E. A.D. 1046, F. See a.d. 1047. ' " in this year," not in F.
8 This date does not occur in F,
" The Latin text of F. explains this as meaning that he was bishop of the East
Saxons, His see was at Elmham. " That is, to Flanders.
lie. 12 He was king of North .Wales.
i» Namely, 2d Feb. 1047. " D. See a.d. 1045.
« E. A.D. 1047, F. See A.D. 1047, 1048. '" See a.d. 1044.
" Of Canterbury.
H 2
100 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 104G—
And in this same year came Lothen and Yrling with twenty-five ships to
Sandwich, and ' there took unspeakable booty, in men, and in gold, and in
silver, so that no man knew how much it all was. And they then went
about Thanet, and would there do the hke ; but the laud's-folk strenuously
withstood them, and denied them as well landing as water ; and thence
utterly put them to flight. And they betook themselves then into Essex,
and there they ravaged, and took men, and property, and whatsoever they
might find. And they betook themselves ^ then east to Baldwine's land, and
there they sold what they had plundered ; and after that went their way
east, whence they before had come.
A.D. 1046. ^lu this year was the great synod at St. Remi's [Rheims].
Thereat was Leo the pope, *aud the archbishop of Burgundy [Lyons], and
the archbishop of Besanpon, and the archbishop of Triers, and the arch-
bisihop of Eheims ; and many men besides, both clergy and laity. And
king Edward sent thither bishop Dudoc,^ and Wulfric, abbat of St. Augus-
tine's, and abbat Elfwine,® that they might make known to the king what
shovUd be there resolved on for Christendom. And in this same year king
Eadward sent out to Sandwich with a great fleet. And Swegen the earl,
son of Godwine the earl, came in to Bosham with seven ships ; and he
obtained the king's protection, and he was promised that he should be held
worthy of everything which he before possessed. Then Harold the earl,
his brother, and Beorn the earl,' contended that he should not be held
worthy of any of the things which the king had granted to them : but a
protection of four days was appointed him to go to his ships. Then befel
it during this, that word came to the king that hostile ships lay westward,
and were ravaging. Then went Godwine the earl west about with two of
the king's ships ; the one commanded Harold the earl, and the other Tostig
his brother ; and forty-two of the people's ships. Then Harold the earl
was removed from the king's ship which Harold the earl before had com-
manded.s Then went they west to Pevensey, and lay there weather-bound.
Upon this, after two days, then came Swegen the earl thither, and spoke
with his father, and with Beorn the earl, and begged of Beorn that he would
go with him to the king at Sandwich, and help him to the king's friend-
ship : and he granted it. Then went they as if they would go to the king.
Then whilst they were riding, then begged Swegen of him that he would
go with him to his shijis : saying that his seamen wo\ild depart from him
unless he should at the soonest come thither. Then went they both
where his ships lay. When they came thither, then begged Swegen the
earl of him that he would go with him on ship-board. He strenuously
refused, so long as until his seamen seized him, and threw him into the
boat, and bound him, and rowed to the ship, and put him there aboard.
Then they hoisted up their sails and ran west to Axmouth, and had him
with them until they slew him : and they took the body and buried it in
a church. And then his friends and htsmen came from London, and took
him up, and bore him to Winchester to the Old-minster : and he is there
buried with king Cnut his uncle. ''And Swegen went then east to Baldwin's
land, and sat down there all the winter at Bruges, with his full protec-
tion. And '"in the same year died Eadnoth, bishop of the north ;" andUlf
was made bishop.
A.D. 1047- '^In this year died bishop Grimcytcl ; lie was bishop
in ''Sussex, and he lies in Christ-Cliurch, at Canterbury; antl king
' F. passes on to " and took men," &c.
^ As far as " east," is omitted in F.
^ FromE. See a.D. 1049. F. ascribes these incidents to 1048.
•' These names are omitted in F. ' Bisliop of Wells.
'^ Abbot of Ramsey.
' F. passes over to the passage, "and spoke with his father."
^ This sentence is obscure and apparently erroneous.
" This sentence is not in F.
'" F. does not contain tlic words, " in the same year."
'' The Latin text of F. explains this as meaning that ha w;is bisliop of the
Northern Saxons : his see was that of Dorchester. '■' Froni C.
'^ He was bishop of Seise}-.
A.n. 1018.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 101
Eadward gave the bishopric to Heca his priest. And in this same
year died bishop Aelfwine/ on the 4th of the kalends of September
[29th Aug.] ; and king Eadward gave the bishopric to bishop Sti-
gand. And Aethelstan, abbat of Abingdon, died in the same year,
on the 4th of the kalends of April :^ then was Easter- day on the
3d of the nones of April [3d April]. And there was over all
England a very great mortality in the same year.
A.D. 1047. ^This year died Lyfing, the eloquent bishop, on the lOth of
the kalends of April [23d March] ; and he had three bishoprics ; one in
Devonshire, and in Cornwall, and in Worcester. Then Leofric succeeded
to Devonshire and to Cornwall, and bishop Aldred to Worcester. And in
this year Osgod the " staHere " [master of the horse], was outlawed : and
Magnus* won Denmark.
A.D. 5 1047. In this year there was a great meeting in London at Mid-lent,
[10th March], and nine ships of litsmen were discharged, and five remained
behind. In this same year came Swegen the eaid into England. And in
this same year was the great synod at Kome, and king Edward sent thither
bishop Hereman and bishop Ealdred ; and they came thither on Easter eve
[14th April]. And afterwards the pope held a synod at VerceUi, [1st Sept.,]
and bishop Ulf ^ came thereto ; and well nigh would they have broken his
staft' if he had not given very great gifts ; because he knew not how to do
his duty so well as he should. And 'in this year died archbishop Eadsige,
on the 4th before the kalends of November [29th Oct.].
A.D. 1048. ^In this year was a great earthquake wide throughout
England. In the same year Sandwich and the Isle of Wight were
ravaged, and the chief men that were there, slain. And after that
king Edward and the earls went out with their ships. And in the
same year bishop Siward resigned the bishopric on account of his
infirmity, and went to Abingdon, and archbishop Eadsige again
received the bishopric : and he [Siward] died within eight weeks
after, on the 10th of the kalends of November [23d Oct.].
A.D. 1048. ^This year was the severe winter: and this year died Aelfwine,
bishop of Winchester, and bishop Stigand was raised to his see. And
before that, in the same year, died Grimcytel, bishop in Sussex, and Heca
the priest succeeded to the bishopric. And Swegen also sent hither, beg-
ging assistance against IMagnus, king of Norway ; that fifty ships should be
sent to his aid. But it seemed unadvisable to aU people : and it was then
hindered by reason that Magnus had a great ship-force. And he then
drove out Swegen, and with much man-slaying won the land : and the
Danes paid him much money and acknowledged him as king. And that
same year Magnus died.
A.D. 1" 1048. " In this year king Edward appointed Robert, of London,
archbishop of Canterbury, during Lent. And in the same Lent he went
to Rome after his paU : and the king gave the bishopric of London to
Sparhafoc, abbat of Abingdon ; and the king gave the abbacy of Abingdon
to bishop Rothidf, his kinsman. Then came the archbishop from Rome
^ Bishop of Winchester.
2 Namely, 29th March, 1048. » From D. See a.d. 1045, 1046.
* He was king of Norway.
5 E. A.D. 1049, F. See A.D. 1050. F. does not contain the first and second
sentences.
'' He was bishop of Dorchester.
' P. does not contain the words which limit this incident to the present year.
s From C. » From D. See a.d. 1046, 1047.
^° From E. A.D. 1050, F. "Here king Edward gave to Robert, who was abbat
of Jumiege, the archbishopric of Canterbury." F. Lat.
'^ "In this year," not in F.
1- "during Lent," not in F., which MS. continues, "and soon after," &c.
102 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1048.—
one day before St. Peter' s-ma.ss eve [28th June], and entered on his archi-
episcopal see at Christ's Church on St. Petcr's-mass day ; and soon after
went to the king. Then came abbat Sjjarhafoc to him with the king's
writ 1 and seal, in order that he should consecrate him bishop of London.
Then the archbishop refused, and said that the pope had forbidden it
him. 2 Then went the abbat to the archbishop again for that purpose,
and there desired episcopal ordination ; and the archbishop constantly
refused him, and said that the pope had forbidden it him. Then went the
abbat to London, and occupied the bishopric which the king before had
granted him, with his full leave, all the summer and the harvest. And
then came Eustace ^ from beyond sea soon after the bishop, and went to
the king, and spoke with him that which he then would, and went then
homeward. When he came to Canterbury, east, then took he refreshment
there, and his men, and went to Dover. When he was some mile or more
on this side of Dover, then he put on his hauberk, and so did all his com-
panions, and went to Dover. When they came thither, then would they
lodge themselves where they chose. Then came one of his men, and would
abide in the house of a householder against his will, and wounded the
householder ; and the householder slew the other. Then Eustace got upon
his horse, and his companions upon theirs ; and they went to the house-
holder, and slew him within his own hearth ; and they went up towards
the town, and slew, as well within as without, more than twenty men.
And the townsmen slew nineteen men on the other side, and woimded
they knew not how many. And Eustace escaped with a few men, and
went again to the king, and made known to him, in part, how they had
fared. And the king became very wroth with the townsmen. And the
king sent off Godwin the earl, and bade him go into Kent in a hostile
manner, to Dover : for Eustace had made it appear to the king, that it had
been more the fault of the townsmen than his : but it was not so. And
the earl would not consent to the inroad, because he was loth to injure
his own retainers. Then the king sent after all his witan, and bade them
come to Gloucester, nigh the aftermass of St. Mary [8th Sept.]. Then had
the Welshmen erected a castle in Herefordshire among the retainers of
Swegen the earl, and wrought every kind of harm and disgrace to the
king's men thereabout which they could. Then came Godwin the earl,
and Swegen the earl, and Harold the earl, together at Beverstone, and
many men with them, in order that they might go to their royal lord, and
to all the witan who were assembled with him, in order that they might
have the advice of the king and his aid, and of all this witan, how they
might avenge the king's disgrace, and the whole nation's. Then were the
Welshmen with the king beforehand, and accused the earls, so that they
might not come within his eyes' sight ; because they said that they were
coming thither in order to betray the king. Tliither had come Siward*
the earl, and Leofric the earl, and much people with theiUr, from the north,
to the king ; and it was made known to the earl Godwine and his sons,
that the king and the men who were with him, were taking comisel con-
cerning them : and they arrayed themselves on the other hand resolutely,
though it were loathful to them that they should stand against their royal
lord. Then the witan on either side decreed that every kind of evil should
cease : and the king gave the peace of God and his full friendship to either
side. Then the king and his witan decreed that a council of all the nobles
should be held for the second time in London at the harvest equinox
[21st Sept.] ; and the king directed the army to be called out, as well south
of the Thames as north, all that was in any way most eminent. Then
declared they Swegen the earl an outlaw, and summoned Godwine the earl
and Harold the earl to the comicil, as quickly as they could effect it.
When they had come thither, then were they summoned into the council.
Tlien required he safe-conduct and hostages, so that he might come, vmbe-
* " and seal," not in F.
' This and tho following sentence, as far as " harvest," arc wanting in F.
' Eustace was eai'l of Boulogne.
* Siward was earl of Northumbria, and Leofric of Mercia.-
A.D. 1049.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 103
trayed, into the council and out of the council. Then the king demanded
all the thanes whom the earls before had ; and they granted them aU into
his hands. Then the king sent again to them, and commanded them that
they should come with twelve men to the king's council. Tlien the earl
again required safe-conduct and hostages, that he might defend himself
against each of those things which were laid to him. Tlien were the
hostages refused him ; and he was allowed a safe-conduct for five nights
to go out of the land. And then Godwine the earl and Swegen the earl
went to Bosham, and shoved out their ships, and betook themselves beyond
sea, and sought Baldwine's protection, and abode there all the winter. And
Harold the earl went west to Ireland, and was there all the winter within
the king's protection. And soon after this happened, then put away the
king the lady who had been consecrated his queen,^ and caused to be
taken from her all which she possessed, in land, and in gold, and in silver,
and in aU things, and delivered her to his sister at Wherwell. And abbat
Sparhafoc was then driven out of the bishopric of London, and WiUiam
tlie king's priest was ordained thereto. And then Odda was appointed
earl over Devonshire, and over Somerset, and over Dorset, and over the
Welsh. And Aelfgar, the son of Leofric the earl, was appointed to the
earldom which Harold before held.
A.D. ^1049. In this year the emperor gathered a countless force
against Baldwin^ of Bruges : by reason that he had destroyed the
palace at Nimeguen, and also, that he had done many other in-
juries to him: the force was not to be told which he had gathered.
There was Leo [IX.] *the pope of Rome, and many great men of
many nations. He sent also to king Edward, and begged the aid
of his ships, in order that he should not sufi^er him to escape from
him by water. And he went then to Sandwich, and there con-
tinued lying with a great fleet, until the emperor obtained of Bald-
win all that he would. ^Thither came back again Swegen the earl
to king Edward, and requested land of him, from which he might
maintain himself. But Harold his brother contended, and Beorn
the earl, that they should not give up to him anything which the
king had given to them. He came hither with false pretences ;
saying that he would be his man, and begged of Beorn the earl
that he would aid him: but the king refused him everything. Then
went Swegen to bis ships at Bosham ; and Godwine the earl went
from Sandwich with forty-two ships to Pevensea, and Beorn the
earl went forth with him ; and then the king gave leave to all the
Mercians to go home : and they did so. Then was it made known
to the king, that Osgod lay at Ulpe with thirty-nine ships. Then
the king sent after the ships which lay within North-mouth, that
he might send after him. But Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges,
and went back again with six ships ; and the others landed in
Essex, at Eadolfes-ness, and there did harm, and went again to
their ships. Then lay Godwine the earl and Beorn the earl at
Pevensea, with their ships. Then came Swegen the earl with
fraud, and begged of Beorn the earl that he would be his com-
panion to the king at Sandwich ; saying that he would swear oaths
to him, and be faithful to him. Then Beorn concluded that, on
account of their kindred, he would not deceive him. Then took
» Namely, Eadgith. 2 C. a.d. 1050, D.
' Baldwin, earl of Flanders.
* " Leo the pope, and the patriarch," D.
* From C. For the continuation in D. see a.d. 1050,, p. 101, note ^.
104 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1049—
he three companions with him, and they then rode to Bosham, as
if they would go to Sandwich, where Swegen's ships lay. And
they soon bound him, and led him on ship -board ; and then went
to Dartmouth, and there caused him to be slain and deeply buried.
But his kinsman Harold fetched him thence and bore him to Win-
chester, and there buried him with king Cnut his uncle. And
then the king and all the army declared Swegen a " nithing."
Eight ships he had before he murdered Beorn ; after that, all for-
sook him except two : and then he went to Bruges, and there
abode with Baldwin. And in this year died Eadnoth, the good
bishop, in Oxfordshire,^ and Oswig, abbat of Thorney, and Wulf-
noth, abbat of Westminster : and king Edward gave the bishopric
to Ulf his priest, and unworthily bestowed it. And in this same
year king Edward discharged nine ships from pay ; and they went
away, ships and all ; and five ships remained behind, and the king
promised them twelve months' pay. And in the same year went
bishop Hereman and bishop Ealdred' to Rome, to the pope, on
the king's errand.
A.D. 1049. ^Tliis year Swein came again to Denmark, and Harold, uncle
of Magnus, went to Norway after JMagnus was dead ; and the Northmen
acknowledged him: and he sent hither to land concerning peace. And
Swegen also sent from Denmark, and begged of king Edward the aid of
his shijjs. They were to be at least fifty ships : but all peojjle opposed it.
And this year also there was an earthquake, on the kalends of May [1st
I\Iay], in many places, in Worcester, and in Wick, and in Derby, and else-
where ; and also there was a great mortality among men, and murrain
among cattle : and moreover, the wild-fire did much evil in Derbyshire
and elsewhere.
A.D. 1050. *In this year came the bishops home from Rome :
and Swegen the earl was inlawed. And in this same year died
archbishop Eadsige, on the 4th of the kalends of November [29th
Oct.]; and also, in this same year, Aelfric, archbishop of York, on
the 11th of the kalends of February [22d Jan.]; and his body hes
at Peterborough. Then king Edward held a meeting of his witan
in London at Mid-lent, and appointed Hrodberd archbishop of
Canterbury, and abbat Sperhafoc to London ; and gave to bishop
Rothulf, his kinsman, the abbacy at Abingdon. And the same
year he discharged all the litsmen from pay.
A.D. 1050. sTiiitlier also came Swegen the earl, who before had gone
from this land to Denmark, and who there had ruined himself with the
Danes. lie came thither with false pretences ; saying that he woidd
again be obedient to the king. And Beorn the carl promised him that he
would be of assistance to him. Then, after the reconciliation of the
emperor and of Baldwin, many of the ships went home, acd the king re-
mained behind at Sandwich with a few ships ; and Godwin the earl also
went with forty-two ships from Sandwich to Pevcnsey, and Beorn the earl
went with him. Then was it made known to the king that Osgod lay at
Ulpe with thirty-nine ships ; and the king then sent after the ships which
before had gone home, that he might send after him. And Osgod fetched
' Namely, of Dorchester.
- They were bishops of Kaiusbury and Worcester.
•' From D. See a.u. 1048. _
■' From A. and C, the former of which omits the first scutence, aud materially
abridges the remainder.
* From D., in continualion from a d. 1040, j). 103, note l
A.D. 1052.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 105
his wife from Bruges, and they went back again with si\ ships. And the
others landed in Sussex ' at Eadulf's-ness, and there did harm, and went
again to their ships : and then a strong wind came against them, so that
they were aU destroyed, except four, whose crews were slain beyond sea.
"While Godwin the earl and Beorn the earl lay at Pevensea, then came Swein
the earl, and begged Beorn the earl, with fraud, who was his uncle's sou, that
he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich, and better his aifairs
with him. He went then, on accoimt of the relationship, with three com-
panions, with him ; and he led him then towards Bosham, where his ships
lay : and then they bound him, and led him on ship-board. Then went he
thence with him to Dartmouth, and there ordered him to be slain, and
deeply buried. Afterwards he was found, and borne to Winchester, and
buried with king Cnut his uncle. A little before that, the men of Hastings
and thereabout, fought two of his ships with their ships ; and slew all the
men, and brought the ships to Sandwich to the king. Eight ships he had
before he betrayed Beorn ; after that aU forsook him except two. In the
same year arrived in the Welsh Axa,^ from Ireland, thirty-six ships, and
thereabout did harm, with the help of Griffin the AVelsh king. The people
were gathered together against them ; bishop Ealdi-ed ^ was also there
with them ; but they had too little power. And they came unawares
upon them at very early morn ; and there they slew many good men, and
the others escaped with the bishop : this was done on the fourth of the
kalends of August [29th July]. This year died, in Oxfordshire, Oswi, abbat
of Thorney, and Wulfnoth, abbat of Westminster ; and Ulf the priest was
appointed as pastor to the bishopric which Eadnoth had held ; but he was
after that driven away ; because he did nothing bishop-like therein : so
that it shameth us now to tell more about it. And bishop Sigward died ;
he lieth at Abingdon. And this year was hallowed the great minster at
Rheims : there was pope Leo [IX.] and the emperor : * and there they held
a great synod concerning God's service. St. Leo the pope presided at the
synod : it is difficult to have a knowledge of the bishops who came there,
and how many abbats : and hence, from this land were sent two — from
St. Augustine's and from Ramsey.
A.D. 1051. ^In this year came archbishop Rodbeard hither over
sea with his pall. And in this same year were banished Godwine
the earl, and all his sons, from England : and he went to Bruges,
and his wife, and his three sons, Swegen, and Tostig, and Gyrth :
and Harold and Leofwine went to Ireland, and there dwelt during
the winter. And in this same year died the old lady, king Edward's
mother, and Harthacnut's, who was called Imme, on the 2d of the
ides of March [14th March, 1052]; and her body hes in the Old-
minster,'^ with king Cnut.
A.D. 1051. In this year died Eadsie,'^ archbishop of Canterbury ; and the
king gave to Rotbeard the Frenchman, who before had been bishop of
London, the archbishopric. And Spearhafoc, abbat of Abingdon, succeeded
to the bishopric of London ; and it was afterwards taken from him before
he was consecrated. And bishop Hereman and bishop Ealdred went to
Rome.
A.D. 1052. ^Tliis year came Harold the earl from Ireland,
with his ships, to the mouth of the Severn, nigh the boundaries of
Somerset and Devonshire, and there greatly ravaged; and the
people of the land drew together against . him, as well from
* This is a mistake for E.>3sex.
^ The Welsh river, the Usk, is pruLably here meant to be indicated.
^ Bishop of Worcester. * Namely, Henry the Third.
5 From C. 6 That is, of Winchester.
' From D. See ad. 1050. * C. D., the latter in transposition.
106 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. ]052.
Somerset as from Devonshire ; and he put them to flight, and
there slew more than thirty good thanes, besides other people :
and soon after that he went about Penwithstart. And then king
Edward caused forty vessels to be fitted out. They lay at Sand-
wich many weeks ; they were to lie in wait for Godwine the earl,
who had been at Bruges during the winter ; and, notwithstanding,
he came hitlier to land first, so that they knew it not. And during
the time that he was here in the land, he enticed to him all the
'men of Kent, and all the " butsecarls " from Hastings and every-
where there by the sea-coast, and all the East-end, and Sussex,
and Surrey, and much else in addition thereto. Then all declared
that they would die and live with him. When the fleet which lay
at Sandwich learned this concerning Godwine's voyage, then set
they out after him. And he escaped them, and concealed himself
wherever he then could; and the fleet went again to Sandwich,
and so homeward to London. Then when Godwine learned that
the fleet which lay at Sandwich was gone home, then went he once
more to [the Isle of] Wight, and lay thereabout by the sea-coast
so long as until they came together, his son earl Harold, and he.
And they did not much harm after they came together, except that
they seized provisions : but they enticed to them all the land-folk
by the sea-coast and also up the countiy ; and they went towards
Sandwich, and collected ever forth with them all the " butsecarls "
which they met with, and then came to Sandwich, with an over-
flowing army. When king Edward learned that, then sent he up
after more help ; but they can^e very late. And Godwine advanced
ever towards London with his fleet until he came to Southwark,
and there abode some time until the flood-tide came up. During
that time he also treated with the townsmen, that they should do
almost all that he would. When he had mustered all his host,
then came the flood -tide; and they then soon drew their anchors,
and held their way through the bridge by the south shore, and the
land-force came from above, and arrayed themselves along the
strand : and they then inclined with the ships towards the north
shore, as if they would hem the king's ships about. The king also
had a great land-force on his side, in addition to his shipmen; but
it was loathful to almost all of them that they should fight against
men of their own race ; for there was little else there which was of
much account except Englishmen, on either side ; and moreover
they were unwilling that this land should be still more exposed to
outlandish men, by reason that they themselves destroyed each
other. Then decreed they that wise men should be sent between
them ; and they settled a truce on either side. And Godwine
landed, and Harold his son, and from their fleet as many as to
them seemed fitting. Then there was a meeting of the witan:
and they gave his earldom clean to Godwine, as full and as
free as he before possessed it, and to his sons also all that they
before possessed, and to his wife and his daughter as full and as
free as they before possessed it. And they then established
between them full friendship, and to all the people they promised
' D. omits as far aa " Susaei."
A.D. 1052.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 107
good lavf. And then they outlawed all the Frenchmen who before
had instituted unjust law, and judged unjust judgments, and coun-
selled ill counsel in this land ; except so many as they agreed
upon, whom the king liked to have with him, who were true to
him and to all his people. And bishop 'Rodbeard, and bishop
William, and bishop Ulf, with difficulty escaped, with the French-
men Vv'ho were with them, and thus got over sea. ^And Godwine
the earl, and Harold, and the queen," sat down in their possessions.
Swegen had gone before this to Jerusalem from Bruges ; and he
died on his way home at Constantinople on Michael's-mass [29th
Sept.]. It was on the Monday after St. Mary's-mass [14th Sept.]
that Godwine with his ships came to Southwark ; and the morning
after, on the Tuesday, they were reconciled, as it here before
stands. Godwine then grew sick soon after he landed ; and he
afterwards departed : but he did all too little penance for the pro-
perty of God which he held belonging to many holy places. And
the same year came the strong wind, on Thomas's-mass night
[21st Dec], and did much harm in many parts. Moreover Hris,
the Welsh king's brother, was slain.
A.D. 1052. *Thi3 year died Aelfi'ic, archbishop of York, a very pious
man, and wise. And in the same year king Edward abolished the here-
geld, which king Aethelred had before imposed : that was in the nine-and-
thirtieth year after he had begun it.^ That geld distressed all the English
nation during so long a time, as it here above is written ; that was ever
before other gelds which were variously paid, and wherewith the people
were manifoldly distressed. In the same year Eustace"^ landed at Dover :
he had king Edward's sister to wife. Then went his men inconsiderately
after quarters, and they slew a certain man of the town ; and their com-
panions [slew] another man of the town : so that there lay [dead] seven of
his companions. And much harm was there done on either side, by horse
and also by weapons, until the people gathered together : and then they
fled away until they came to the king at Gloucester ; and he gave them
protection. When Godwine the earl understood that such things should
have happened in his earldom, then began he to gather together people
over all his earldom, and Swein the earl, his son, over his, and Harold, his
other son, over his earldom ; and they all drew together in Gloucester-
shire, at Langtree, a great force and coimtless, all ready for battle against
the king, unless Eustace were given up, and his men placed in their hands,
and also the Frenchmen who were in the castle. This was done seven
days before the latter mass of St. Mary [1st Sept.]. Then was king Edward
sitting at Gloucester. Then sent he after Leofric '' the earl, and north
after Siward the earl, and begged their forces. And then they came to
him ; first with a moderate aid, but after they knew how it was there, in
the south, then sent they north over all their earldoms, and caused to be
ordered out a large force for the help of their lord ; and Raulf, also, over
his earldom : and then came they all to Gloucester to help the king,
though it might be late. Then were they ah so united in opinion with
the king that they would have sought out Godwine's forces, if the king
had so willed. Then thought some of them that it woidd be a great folly
that they should join battle ; because there was nearly all that was most
noble in England in the two armies, and they thought that they should
* These were the archbishop of Canterbury, and the bishops of London and
Doi-chester. 2 To the end of the year not in D.
3 Queen Eadgythe. * From D. See a.d. 1050, 1051.
' Thei-efore it had originated in a.d. 1012.
" Eustace, earl of Boulogne.
' Leofric was earl of Mercia, and Siward of Northumbria.
108 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1052.
expose the land to our foes, and cause great destruction among ourselves.
Then counselled they that hostages should be given mutually ; and they
appointed a term at London, and thither the people were ordered out over
all this north end, in Siward's earldom, and in Leofric's, and also else-
where ; and Godwine the earl, and his sons, were to come there with their
defence. Then came they to Southwark, and a great multitude with them,
from Wessex; but his band diminished ever the more the longer he
stayed. And they exacted pledges for the king from all the thanes who
were under Harold the earl, his son ; and then they outlawed Swegen the
earl, his other son. Then did it not suit him to come with a defence to
meet the king, and to meet the army which was with him. Then went he
by night away ; and the king on the morrow held a meeting of the witan,
and, together with all the army, declared him an outlaw, him and all his
sons. And he went south to Thorney, and his wife, and Swegen his son,
and Tostig and his wife, Baldwin's relation of Bruges, and Gerth his son.
And Harold the earl, and Leofwine, went to Bristol in the ship which
Swegen the earl had before got ready for himself, and provisioned. And
the king sent bishop Ealdred ' to London with a force ; and they were to
overtake him ere he came on ship-board : but they could not, or they
would not. And he went out from Avonmouth, and met with such heavy
weather that he with difficulty got away ; and there he sustained much
damage. Then went he forth to Ireland when fit weather came. And
Godwine- and those who were with him, went from Thorney to Bruges, to
Baldwine's land, in one ship, with as much treasure as they might therein
best stow for each man. It would have seemed wondrous to every man
who was in England if any one before that had said that it should end
thus ; for he had been erewhile exalted to that degree, as if he ruled the
king and all England ; and his sons were earls and the king's darlings, and
his daughter wedded and united to the king : she was brought to Wher-
weU, and they delivered her to the abbess. Then soon came William ^ the
earl from beyond sea, with a great band of Frenchmen ; and the king
received him, and as many of his companions as it pleased him ; and let
him away again. This same year was given to William the priest, the
bishopric of London, which before had been given to Spaerhafoc.
A.D. *1052. This year died Aelfgife, the lady, relict of king Aethelred
and of king Cnut, on the second of the nones of March [6th March]. In
the same year Griffin, the Welsh king, plundered in Herefordshire, until
he came very nigh to Leominster ; and they gathered against him, as well
the landsmen as the Frenchmen of the castle, and there were slain of the
English very many good men, and also of the Frenchmen ; that was on
the same day on which, thirteen years before, Eadwine had been slain by
his companions.*
A.D. 10.52. ''In this year died Aelfgive Ymma, king Edward's mother and
king Hardcnuta's. And in this same year the king decreed, and his witan,
that ships should proceed to Sandwich ; and they set Ralph the earl, and
Odda the carl, as head-men thereto. Then Godwin the earl went out from
Bruges with his ships to Ysera, and left it one day before Midsummer's-
niass eve [23d June], so that he came to Ness, which is south of Romney.
7 Then came it to the knowledge of the earls out at Sandwich ; and they
1 He wag bishop of Worcester.
^ Godwiue's earldom consisted of Wessex, Sussex, aiul Kent : Sweyn's of
Oxford, Gloucester, Hereford, Somerset, and Berkshire : aud Harold's, of Essex,
East Anglia, Huntingdon, and Cambridgeshire. —P.
^ This was William, duke of Normandy, the future king of England.
* This date is thus repeated in D. (from which MS. the following details under
this year are taken), and the chronology thus agrees with C, although, by carry-
ing on the year to Easter, that copy places Emma's death at the end of 1051. — P.
Compare 1051, 1052. * See a.d. 1039.
^ From E. F., the former of which, by leaving blank the years 1040, 1050, and
1051, here again agrees with C. and D.
7 The narrative, as far as the sentence beginning with the words " When they
came to London," is from E.
A.D. 1052.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 109
then went out after the other ships, and a land force was ordered out
ao-ainst the ships. Then, during this, Godwin the earl was warned, and
then he went to Pevensey ; and the weather was very severe, so that the
earLs could not learn what was become of Godwin the earl. And then
Godwin the earl went out again, until he came once more to Bruges ; and
the other ships returned again to Sandwich. And then it was decreed that
the ships should return once more to London, and that other earls and
commanders shoiUd be appointed to the ships. Then was it delayed so
long that the ship-force aU departed, and all of them went home. When
Godwin the earl learned that, then drew he up his sail, and his fleet, and
then went west direct to [the Isle of] Wight, and there landed, and ravaged
so long there, until the people yielded them so much as they laid on them.
And then they went westward until they came to Portland, and there they
landed, and did whatsoever harm they were able to do. Then was Harold
come out from Ireland with nine ships ; and then landed at Porlock, and
there much people was gathered against him ; but he failed not to procure
himself provisions. He proceeded further, and slew there a great mmiber
of the people, and took of cattle, and of men, and of property, as it suited
him. He then went eastward to his father : and then they both went east-
ward until they came to [the Isle of] Wight, and there took that which
was yet remaining for them. And then they went thence to Pevensey, and
got away thence as many ships as were there fit for service, and so onwards
tmtil he came to Ness, and got all the ships which were in Romney, and in
Hythe, and in Folkstone. And then they went east, to Dover, and there
landed, and there took ships and hostages, as many as they would, and so
went to Sandwich and did "hand "^ the same; and everywhere hostages
were given them, and provisions wherever they desired. And then they
went to North-mouth, and so toward London ; and some of the ships went
within Sheppey, and there did much harm, and went their way to King's
Middleton, and that they all burned, and betook themselves then toward
London, after the earls. When they came to London, there lay the king
and all the earls there against them, with fifty ships. Then the earls sent
to the king, and required of him, that they might be held worthy of each
of those things which had been unjustly taken from them. Then the king,
however, resisted some while ; so long as until the people who were with
the earl were much stirred against the king and against his people, so that
the earl himself with difiiculty stilled the people. Then bishop Stigand
interposed, with God's help, and the wise men, as weU within the town as
without ; and they decreed that hostages should be set forth on either side :
and thus was it done.
When archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen learned that, they took
their horses and went, some west, to Pentecost's castle ; some north, to
Robert's castle. And archbishop Robert and bishop Ulf went out at East-
gate, and their companions, and slew and otherwise injured many young
men, and went their way direct to Eadulf 's-ness ; and he thei-e put himself
in a crazy ship, and went direct over sea, and left his paU and all Chris-
tendom here on land, so as God would have it, inasmuch as he had before
obtained the dignity so as God would not have it. Then there was a great
council proclaimed without London : and aU the earls and the chief men
who were in this land were at the council. There Godwiue bore forth his
defence, and justified himself, before king Edward, his lord, and before all
people of the land, that he was guiltless of that which was laid against him,
and against Harold his son, and aU his children. And the king gave to the
earl and his children his full friendship, and fidl earldom, and aU that he
before possessed, and to all the men who were with him. And the king
gave to the lady 2 aU that she before possessed. And they declared arch-
bishop Robert utterly an outlaw, and aU the Frenchmen, because they had
made most of the difierence between Godwine the earl, and the king. And
bishop Stigand obtained the ai-chbishopric of Canterbury. In this same time
Arnwi, abbat of Peterborough, left the abbacy, in sound health, and gave it
to Leofric the monk, by leave of the king and of the monks ; and abbat Arnwi
' The text is here apparently corrupt. ^ Namely, to Eaclgytha.
110 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1053—
lived afterwards eight years. And abbat Leofric then (enriched) the min-
ster, so that it was called the Golden-borough. Then it waxed greatly, iu
land, and in gold, and in silver.
A.D. 1052. 'And went so to [the Isle of] Wight, and there took all the
ships which could be of any service, and hostages, and betook himself so
eastward. And Harold had landed with nine ships at Porlock, and slew
there much people, and took cattle, and men, and property, and wont his
way eastward to his father, and they both went to Romney, to Hythe, to
Folkstone, to Dover, to Sandwich, and ever they took all the ships which
they found, which could be of any service, and hostages, all as they pro-
ceeded ; and went then to London.
A.D. 1053. ^In this year was the king at Winchester at Easter,
and Godwine the earl with him, and Harold the earl, his son, and
Tostig. Then, on the second day of Easter [1 1th April], he sat with
the king at the feast : then suddenly sank he down by the footstool,
deprived of speech, and of all his power, and he was then carried
into the king's chamber, and they thought it would pass over : but
it did not so ; but he continued on, thus speechless and powerless,
until the Thursday [15th April], and then resigned his life : and he
lies there within the Old-minster. And his son Harold succeeded
to his earldom, and resigned that which he before held ; and Aelfgar
succeeded thereto. This same year died Wulfsie, bishop of Lich-
field, and Leofwine, abbat of Coventry, succeeded to the bishopric ;
and Aegelward, abbat of Glastonbury, died, and Godwine, abbat of
Wincelcomb. IVIoreover, the Welshmen slew a great number of
the English people, of tlie wardmen, near Westbury. In this year
there was no archbishop in this land ; but bishop Stigand held the
bishopric of Canterbury at Christchurch, and Kynsige of York ; and
Leofwine' and Wulfwi went over sea, and caused themselves to be
there ordained bishops ; Wulfwi obtained the bishopric which Ulf
had, he being yet living and driven from it.
A.D. 1053. *Thi3 year was the great wind on Thomas's-mass night [21st
Dec], and also the whole midwinter there was much wind ; and it was
decreed that Hris, the Welsh king's brother, should be slain, because he
had done harm ; and his head was brought to Gloucester on Twelfth-day eve
[5th Jan.]. And the same year, before AU-Haliows mass [1st Nov.], died
Wulfsyg, bishop of Lichfield, and Godwine, abbat of Wincelcomb, and Aegel-
ward, abbat of Glastonbury, all within one month ; and Leofwine succeeded
to the bishopric of Lichfield, and bishop Aldred'^ took the abbac}' at Wincel-
comb, and Aegelnath succeeded to the abbacy at Glastonbury. And the same
year died Aelfric, Odda's brother, at Deorhurst ; and his body resteth at
Pershore. And the same year died Godwine the earl ; and he fell ill as he
sat with the king at Winchester. And Harold, his son, succeeded to the
earldom which his father before held ; and Aelfgar the earl succeeded to
the earldom which Harold before held.
A.D. 105.3. '^In this year died Godwine the earl, on the 17th of the
kalends of May [15th Ai)ril], and he is buried at Winchester, in the Old-
minster ; and Harold the earl, his son, succeeded to the earldom, and to
all that which his father had held ; and Aelfgar the earl succeeded to
the earldom which Harold before held.
A.D. 1054. 'Tliis year went Siward the earl* with a great army
' F. in continuation after the text referred to at note '', p. 108.
2 From C.
^ Leofwine was bishop of Lichfield ; Wulfwi, of Dorchester. * From D.
5 Namely, of Worcester. " A. E. F., but chiefly from E.
' From C. as far as the death of Osgod Clapa.
" Of Northumberland,
A.D. 1055.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ill
into Scotland, and made much slaughter of the Scots, and put him
to flight: and the king escaped. Moreover, many fell on his side,
as well Danish-men as English, and also his own son.^ The same
year was consecrated the minster at Evesham, on the 6th of the
ides of October [10th Oct.]. In the same year bishop Ealdred ^
went south over sea into Saxony land, and was there received with
much reverence. That same year died Osgod Clapa suddenly, even
as he lay on his bed. ^In this year died Leo [IX.] the holy pope
of Rome. And in this year there was so great a murrain among
cattle, as no man remembered for many years before. And Victor
[II.] was chosen pope.
A.D. 1054. *This year went Siward the earl with a great army into
Scotland, both with a ship-force and with a land-force, and fought against
the Scots, and put to flight king Macbeth, and slew aU who were the chief
men in the land, and led thence much booty, such as no man before had
obtained. But his son Osbarn, and his sister's son, Sihward, and some of
his house-carls, and also of the king's, were there slain, on the day of the
Seven Sleepers [27th July]. The same year went bishop Aldred to Cologne,
over sea, on the king's errand; and he was there received with much
worship by the emperor, and there he dwelt well nigh a year ; and either
gave him entertainment, both the bishop of Cologne and the emperor.
And he gave leave to bishop Leofwine ^ to consecrate the minster at
Evesham on the 6th of the ides of October [10th Oct.]. In this year died
Osgod suddenly in his bed. And this year died St. Leo the pope ; and
Victor was chosen pope in his stead.
A.D. 1055. ^ In this year died Siward the earl at York, and his
body lies within the minster at Galmanho, which himself had
before built, to the glory of God and of all his saints. Then,
within a little time after, was a meeting of the witan in London,
and Aelfgar the earl, Leofric the earl's son, was outlawed without
any kind of guilt; and he went then to Ireland, and there procured
himself a fleet, which was of eighteen ships, besides his own : and
they went then to Wales, to king Griffin,'^ with that force: and
he received him into his protection. And then, with the Irishmen
and with Welshmen, they gathered a great force: and Ralph the
earl gathered a great force on the other hand at Hereford -port.
And they sought them out there: but before there was any spear
thrown, the English people fled because they were on horses ; and
there great slaughter was made, about four hundred men or five ;
and they made none on the other side. And they then betook
themselves to the town, and that they burned ; and the great
minster which Aethelstan the venerable bishop before caused to be
built, that they plundered and bereaved of relics and of vestments,
and of all things ; and slew the people, and some they led away.
Then a force was gathered from well nigh throughout all England,
and they came to Gloucester, and so went out, not far, among the
Welsh ; and there they lay some while : and Harold the earl
caused the ditch to be dug about the port* the while. Then,
during this, then spoke they concerning peace ; and Harold the
* Osbeorn. 2 jje was bishop of Worcester.
' To the end of the year from E. and F. * From D.
5 Bishop of Lichfield. « From C.
^ Grif&n was king of North Wales. * Namely, of Hereford.
112 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1055—
earl, and those who were with him, came to BiUingsley: and there
peace and friendship was estabhshcd between them. And then
they inlawed Aelfgar the earl, and gave him all that before had
been taken from him; and the fleet went to Chester, and there
awaited their pay, which Aelfgar had promised them. The man-
slaying was on the 9th of the kalends of November [24th Oct.].
In the same year died Tremerig, the Welsh bishop,^ soon after that
ravaging; he was bishop Aethelstan's coadjutor from the time
that he had become infirm.
A.D. 1055. 2iii this year died Syhward the earl at York, and he lies at
Galmanho, in the minster which himself caused to be built, and hallowed
in God's and Olave's name. And Tosti succeeded to the earldom which
he had held. And archbishop Kynsie ' fetched his pall from pope Victor.
And soon thereafter was outlawed Aelfgar the earl, son of Leofric the earl,
well nigh without guilt. But he went to Ireland and to Wales, and pro-
cvu'ed himself there a great foi'ce, and so went to Hereford: but there
came against him Ealph the earl, with a large army. And with a slight
conflict he put them to flight, and much people slew in the flight : and thej
went then into Hereford-port, and that they ravaged, and burned the
great minster which bishop Aethelstan had built, and slew the priests
within the minstei', and many in addition thereto, and took all the
treasures therein, and carried them away with them. And when they had
done the utmost evil, this counsel was counselled : that Aelfgar the earl
should be inlawed, and be given his earldom, and all that had been taken
from him. This ravaging happened on the 9th of the kalends of November
[24th Oct.]. In the same year died Tremerin, the Welsh bishop, soon after
that ravaging : and he was bishop Aethelstan's coadjutor from the time
that he had become infirm.
A.D. 1055. -"In this year died Siward the earl: and then was summoned
a general meeting of the witan, seven days before Mid-lent [20th March] ;
and they outlawed Aelfgar the earl, because it was cast upon him that ho
was a ti-aitor to the king and to aU the people of the land. And he made
a confession of it before all the men who were there gathered; though the
word escaped him unintentionally. And the king gave the earldom to
Tostig, son of earl Godwine, which Siward the earl before held. And
Aelfgar the earl sought Griffin's protection in North Wales. And in this
year Griffin and Aelfgar burned St. Aelthelbryhfs minster, and all the town
of Hereford.
A.D. 1056. ^This year bishop Aegelric gave up his bishopric at
Durham, and went to Burh, to St. Peter's minster, and his brother
Aegelwine succeeded thereto. ''This year died Aethelstan, the
venerable bishop, on the 4th of the ides of February [10th Feb.],
and his body hes at Here ford -port; and Leofgar was appointed
bishop; he was the mass-priest of Harold the earl. He wore his
" kenepas " during his priesthood, until he was a bishop. He
forsook his chrism and his rood, his ghostly weapons, and took to
his spear and his sword, after his bishophood; and so went to the
field against Griffin the Welsh king: and there was he slain, and
his priests with him, and Aelfnoth the sheriff, and many good men
with them; and the others tied away. This was eight days before
midsummer. It is difficult to tell the distress, and all the marching,
and the camping, and the travail and destruction of men, and also
> He was bishop of St. David's. 2 prom j).
^ He was archbishop of York. ■• From E. F.
^ This first sentence is from D. " From C. D.
A.D. 1058.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, 113
of horses, which all the English army endured, until Leofric ^ the
earl came thither, and Harold the earl, and bishop Aldred, and
made a reconciliation there between them; so that Griffin swore
oaths that he would be to king Edward a faithful and unbetraying
under-king. And bishop Ealdred succeeded to the bishopric which
Leofgar had before held eleven weeks and four days. In the same
year died Cona' the emperor. This year died Odda^ the earl, and
his body lies at Pershore, and he was ordained a monk before his
end; a good man he was and pure, and right noble. And he died
on the 2d of the kalends of September [31st Aug.].
A.D. 1057. and by her, fair
* Here came Edward etheling oflspring he begot :
to Engle-land; she was named Agatha,
he was king Edward's Nor knew we
brother's son, for what cause
Edmund king, that done was,
who Ironside was called that he might not
for his valour. his kinsman Edward
This etheling king Cnut king behold,
had sent away Alas ! that was a rueful case
to the land of Hungary and harmful
to be betrayed : for all this nation
but he there grew up that he so soon
to a good man, his life ended
as God granted him, after that he to England cafne
and him well became ; for the mishap
so that he obtained of this wretched nation,
the emperor's kinswoman to wife.
In the same year died Leofric' the earl, on the 2d of the kalends
of October [30th Sept.] ; he was very wise for God and also for
the world, which was a blessing to all this nation. He lies at
Coventry; and his son Aelfgar succeeded to his government. And
within the year died Ralph the earl," on the 12th of the kalends of
January [21st Dec.]; and he lies at Peterborough. Moreover,
bishop Heca died in Sussex, and Aegelric was raised to his see.^
And this year pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX.] was chosen
pope.
A.D. 1057. *In this year Aedward the etheling, king Eadmund's son,
came hither to land, and soon after died : and his body is buried withiu
St. Paul's minster at London. And pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX.]
was chosen pope : he was abbat of Mont-Cassino. And Leofric the earl
died, and Aelfgar his son succeeded to the earldom which the fatlier before
held.
A.D. 1058. ^This year Aelfgar the earl ^^ was banished: but he
soon came in again, with violence, through Griffin's^* aid. And
this year came a fleet from Norway : it is tedious to tell how all
these matters went. In the same year bishop Ealdred hallowed
^ Leofric was earl of Mercia, and Aldred bi.sliop of Worcester.
* Api^arently Henry the Third. ^ Earl of Devonshire. * From D.
s He was earl of Mercia. ^ Of Hereford. ' Namely, Selsey.
8 E. F. 9 The whole year is from D.
" Of Merci.a. " Griffin was king of North Wales.
VOL. II. I
114 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1058—
the minster at Gloucester, which himself had raised to the glory of
God and of St. Peter; and so he went to Jerusalem with such
splendour as none other had displayed before him, and there
devoted himself to God: and a worthy gift he also offered at our
Lord's tomb; that was a golden chalice of five marks of very
wonderful work. In the same year died pope Stephen [IX.], and
Benedict [X.] was appointed pope: he sent a pall to bishop Stigand.
Acgelric was ordained bishop of Sussex,^ and abbat Sihward of
Rochester.
A.D. 1058. 2 This year died pope Stephen, and Benedict was hallowed
pope : the same sent hither to [tliis] land a jjall to archbishop Stigand.
And in this year died Heaca, bishop of Sussex ; and archbishop Stigand
ordained Aegeh'ic, a monk, at Christchurch, bishop of Sussex, and abbat
Siward bishop of 'Kochester.
A.D. 1059. 'In this year was Nicholas [II.] chosen pope, he
had before been bishop of the town of Florence; and Benedict was
driven away, who had there before been pope. *And in this year
was the steeple consecrated at Peterborough, on the 16th of the
kalends of November [17th Oct.].
A.D. 1060. *In this year there was a great earthquake on
the Translation of St. Martin [4th July] : and king Henry died in
France. And Kynsie, archbishop of York, departed on the 11th
of the kalends of Januarj^ [22d Dec], and he lies at Peterborough;
and bishop Ealdred succeeded to the bishopric, and Walter suc-
ceeded to the bishopric of Herefordshire: and bishop Dudoc also
died; he was bishop in Somerset;^ and Gisa the priest was appointed
in his stead. ^
A.D. 1061. ^This year bishop Ealdred went to Rome after his
pall, and he received it from pope Nicholas. And Tostig tlic earl
and his wife also went to Rome: and the bishop and the earl
suffered much distress as they came homeward. And this year
died Godwine, bishop of St. Martin's;" and Wulfric, abbat of St.
Augustine's, on the 14th of the kalends of April [May ?]. And pope
Nicholas died, and Alexander [II.] was chosen pope: he had been
bishop of Lucca.
A.D. lOGl. "In this year died Duduc, bishop of Somerset, and Gisa suc-
ceeded. And in the same year died Godwin, bishop of St. Martin's, on
the 7th of the ides of ]\Iarch [9th March]. And in the self-same year died
Wulfric, abbat of St. Augustine's, within the Easter week, on the 14th of
the kalends of i\Iay [18th April]. When word came to the king that abbat
Wulfric was departed, then chose he Aethelsige the monk thereto, from the
old-minster, who then followed archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated
abbat at Windsor, on St. Augustine's-mass day [:^Gth May].
A.D. 1062.''
A.D. 1063. '-In this year, after midwinter, Harold the earl went
from Gloucester to Rudelan, which was Griffin's, and burned the
1 At Selsey. 2 E. F. 3 D. E.
* This concluding sentence is not iu E. ^ j)_ ^
" Namely, at Well.s.
^ " Hemy, the king of the Franks, died, and Philip, his son, succeeded him."
E. Latin. " From D.
9 St. Martin's, at Canterbury. i" Fn.m F..
" " This year Mans was subjugated to William, earl of Normandy." E.
»2 D,
A.D. IOCS.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 115
vill, and his ships, and all the stores which thereto belonged, and
put him to flight. And then, at Rogation-tide [26th May], Harold
went with his ships from Bristol about Wales ; and the people
made a truce and delivered hostages; and Tostigwent with a land-
force against them: and they subdued the land. But in this same
year, during harvest, was king Griffin slain, on the nones of August
[5th Aug.], by his own men, by reason of the war that he warred
with Harold the earl. He was king over all the Welsh race: and
his head was brought to Harold the earl, and Harold brought it to
the king, and his ship's head, and the " bone " therewith. And
king Edward committed the land to his two brothers, Blethgent
and Rigwatla; and they swore oaths, and delivered hostages to the
king and to the earl, that they would be faithful to him in all
things, and be everywhere ready for him, by water and by land, and
make such renders from the land as had been done before to any
other king.
A.D. 1063. I This year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tostig the
earl, as well with a land force as a ship force, into Wales, and they subdued
the land ; and the people delivered hostages to them, and submitted ; and
went afterwards and slew their king Griffin, and brought to Harold hia
head ; and he appointed another king thereto.
• A.D. 1064.
A.D. H065. In this year, before Lammas [1st Aug.], Harold the
earl ordered a building to be erected in Wales at Portskeweth, after
he had subdued it; and there he gathered much good; and thought
to have king Edward there for the purpose of hunting. But when
it was all ready, then went Caradoc, Griffin's son, with the whole
force which he could procure, and slew almost all the people who
there had been building ; and they took the good which there was
prepared. We wist not who first devised this ill counsel. This
was done on St. Bartholomew's -mass day [24 th Aug.].
And soon after this, all the thanes in Yorkshire and in North-
umberland gathered themselves together, and outlawed their earl,
Tostig, and slew his household men, all that they might come at,
as well English as Danish : and they took all his weapons at York,
and gold, and silver, and all his treasures which they might any
where there hear of, and sent after Morkar, the son of Aelfgar the
earl, and chose him to be their earl : and he went south with all
the shire, and with Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire, and Lincoln-
shire, until he came to Northampton : and his brother Eadwine
came to meet him with the men who were in his earldom, and also
many Britons came with him. There came Harold the earl to
meet them ; and they laid an errand upon him to king Edward,
and also sent messengers with him, and begged that they might
have Morkar for their earl. And the king granted it, and sent
Harold again to them at Northampton, on the eve of St. Simon's
and St. Jude's mass [27th Oct.]; and he made known the same to
them, and delivered a pledge thereof unto them : and he there
renewed Cnut's law. But the northern men did much harm about
Northampton whilst he went on their errand, inasmuch as they
' E. 2 D.C. A.D. 1064, E.
I 2
16
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
[a.d. 1065—
slew men and burned houses and corn ; and took all the cattle
which they might come at, that was many thousand : and many
hundred men they took and led north with them ; so that that
shire, and the .other shires which there are nigh, were for many
years the worse. And Tostig the earl, and his wife, and all those
who would what he would, went south over sea with him to Bald-
win the earl, and he received them all ; and they were all the
winter there. And king Edvvard came to Westminster at mid-
winter, and there caused to be consecrated the minster which
himself had built to the glory of God and of St. Peter, and of all
God's saints ; and the church -hallowing was on Childermass day
[28th Dec.]. And he died on Twelfth-day eve [5th Jan. 10G6],
and they buried him on Twelfth-day, in the same minster, as it
hereafter sayeth.
Here Edward king,
of Angles lord,
sent his truthful
soul to Christ,
his spirit holy
in God's protection.
He in the world here
dwelt awhile
in royal majesty
mighty in council.
Four-and-twenty
(lordly ruler !)
of winters numbered,
he wealth dispensed ;
and he a prosperous tide,
ruler of heroes,
distinguished governed,
Welsh and Scots,
and Britons also,
son of Ethelred,
Angles and Saxons,
chieftains bold.
Where'er embrace
cold ocean-waves,
there all to Edward,
noble king !
obeyed faithfully
the warrior-men.
Aye was blithe-minded
the harmless king,
though he long erst
of land bereaved,
in exile dwelt
wide o'er the earth
since Cnut overcame
the race of Aethelred,
and the Danes possessed
the dear kingdom
of England,
eight-and-twenty
winters by number,
dispensed wealth.
Afterwards came forth,
noble in his array,
a king very good,
pure and mild,
Edward the noble.
The land he guarded,
the land and the people,
until there suddenly came
bitter death
and took away one so dear.
The angels carried
this noble one from the earth,
this true soul
into the light of heaven.
And yet the wise man
committed this realm
to a man highly born,
even to Harold,
that noble earl.
He always
faithfully obeyed
his rightful lord
in words and deeds
nor neglected anything
which was needful
to his sovereign king.
And this year also was Harold consecrated to [be] king, and he con-
tinued therein with little quiet whilst he possessed the kingdom.
A.D. 1066.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 117
A.D. 1065. ^Ancl the slaughter of the men was on the mass-day of St.
Bartholomew [24th Aug.]. And then after Michaelmas [29th Sept.], all the
thanes in Yorkshire went to York, and there slew all the house-carls of earl
Tostig, of whom they could hear, and took his treasures ; and Tostig was
then at Brytford with the king. And then, very soon thereafter there was
a great meeting at Northampton, and likewise one at Oi^^'ord, on the day of
Simon and Jude [28th Oct.]. And earl Harold was there, and he wished to
reconcile tliem, if he could, bvit he could not ; but all his earldom, and all
those who had upreared lawlessness along with him, unanimously forsook
him, and outlawed him, because he robbed God first and plundered all
those over whom he had power as to life and land. And they then took to
themselves Morkere for their earl, and Tostig went then over the sea,
and his wife with him, to Baldwin's land, and they took up their winter
residence at St. Omers.
A.D. 1066. -This year came Harold tlie king from York to
Westminster, at that Easter which was after the midwinter upon
which the king died ; and Easter was then on this day, viz. the 16th
of the kalends of May [16th April]. Then was there seen all over
England such a token in the heavens as no man had ever seen
before. Some men said that it was the star Cometa, which some
persons call the hairy star, and it appeared first on the eve Litania
Major on the 8th of the kalends of May [24th April], and so shone
all the seven nights. And soon thereafter came Tostig the earl
from beyond sea into Wight, with as great a fleet as he might
procure ; and there they rendered to him as well money as provi-
sions. ^And king Harold, his brother, gathered as great a ship
army and also a land army as no king here on [this] land before
had done, because it was intimated to him that William the
bastard would come hither and win this land, just as it afterwards
happened. And in the meanwhile came earl Tostig into the
Humber with sixty ships ; and Eadwine the earl came with a
land force and drove him out. And the butse-carls forsook him
and went to Scotland with twelve vessels ; and Harold, king of
Norway, met him there with three hundred ships, and Tostig sub-
mitted to him and became his homager. And then both of them
went into the Humber until they came to York ; and there
Eadwine the earl, and Morkere the earl, his brother, fought against
them, but the North-men had the victory.
Then it was told to Harold, king of the English, that this had
thus happened, and this fight was on the vigil of St. Matthew [20th
Sept.]. Then came Harold, our king, on the North-men unawares
[24th Sept.], and encountered them beyond York, at Steinford-
laridge, with a great army of English folk : and there during the
[whole] day there was a very strong fight on both sides. There
was slain Harold Harfager * and earl Tosti ; and the North-men
who there remained were put to flight, and the English from
behind slew them furiously, until some of them came to their
ships. Some were drowned, and some also were burned, and so in
diflerent ways destroyed that few were left ; and the English had
possession of the place of slaughter. The king then gave his
^ C. in continuation, after the passage in the text ending with the words, " who
there had been building;" A.D. 1065, p. 115. ^ D- C.
3 D. For the remainder of C. see the continuation appended to the test.
■• This is a mistake; we should here read, " Hardrada."
118 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 10G6.
protection to Olaf, the son of the king of the Norsemen, and to
their bishop, and to [Paul] the earl of Orkney, and to all those who
were left in the ships ; and they then went up to our king, and
swore oaths that they would ever keep peace and friendship towards
this land, and the king let them go home with twenty-four ships.
These two general battles were fought within five days.
Then came William, earl of Normandy, to Pevensey, on the eve
of the mass of St. Michael [28th Sept.], and as soon as they had
arrived they built at the town of Hastings. This was then in-
timated to king Harold, and he then gathered a large army, and
came against him at the Hoar Apple-tree, and William came
against him unawares before his people were put in array. But
the king nevertheless very boldly fought against him along with
those men who would support him ; and there was there great
slaughter made on either side. There was slain king Harold and
earl Leofwine his brother, and earl Gyrth his brother, and many
good men ; and the French had possession of the place of
slaughter, entirely as God permitted for the sins of the people.
Adred, the archbishop, and the citizens of London, wished them to
have Eadgar, child, as king, as was his undoubted hereditary right ;
and Edwine and Morkere promised him that they would fight along
with him. But just in proportion as it ought to have been the
forwarder, so was it from day to day the later and the worse, so
that at the last it entirely passed away. This fight was done on the
day of pope Calixtus [14th Oct.]. And earl William went again to
Hastings, and w^aited there [to ascertain] whether the people would
submit to him. And when he perceived that the people would not
come to him, he went up with all the army which remained to
him, and that which afterwards had come from over sea to him,
and he harried all that district which he passed over, until that he
came to Berkhampstead. And there came to meet him arch-
bishop Ealdred, and Eadgar, child, and earl Eadwine, and earl
Morkere, and all the best men of London, and submitted then of
necessity, when the greatest harm had been done ; and this was
great folly that they had not done so sooner, since God w'ould not
better it for our sins ; and they gave him pledges and swore oaths
to him and he promised them that he would be to them a faithful
lord ; nevertheless in the meanwhile they harried all that they
passed over. Then on midwinter's day [25th Dec], Ealdred,
archbishop, consecrated him as king at Westminster, and he
pledged him with Christ's book, and moreover swore, before he
would place the crown on his head, that he would rule tliis nation
as well as any king before him had done at the best, provided they
[the people] would be faithful to him. Yet he nevertheless laid a
very heavy tribute upon the people ; and afterwards, during Lent,
he went over the sea to Normandy, and took with him Stigand, the
archbishop, and abbat Aegelnatb, of Glastonbury, and Eadgar,
child, and earl Eadwine, and earl Morkere, and earl Waeltheof,
and many other good men of England. And bishop Oda^ and
' Odo, bishop of Bayeux, half-brother of king William, and AYilliam Fitzosbert,
created carl of Hereford.
A.D. 1066.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 119
earl William remained here behind, and they built castles wide
throughout the nation, and oppressed the poor people, and ever
after it grew worse exceedingly. May the end be good when God
will.
A.D. 1066. 1 This year king Edward died, and earl Harold succeeded to
the kingdom, and he held it forty weeks and one day. And this year came
WiUiam and won England. And in this year was Christ Church burned.
And this year ai^peared a comet on the 14th of the kalends of May [ISth
April].
A.D. 1066. ^And then he went thence and did harm everywhere by the
sea-coast wherever he could, until he came to Sandwich. Then was it in-
timated to king Harold, who was at London, that Tostig his brother was
come to Sandwich. Then gathered he so great a ship force, and also a
land force, as no king before here in this laud had gathered, because it had
been told him as a truth that earl William, king Edward's kinsman, would
come hither and take this land, just as it afterwards occurred. When
Tostig understood this, that king Harold was on his way to Sandwich,
then went he from Sandwich and took some of the butse-carls with him,
some willingly, some unwiUiugly, and went then northwards [into] the
Humber, and there he harried in Lindsey, and there slew many good men.
When Eadwine the earl and Morkere the earl understood that, then came
they thither, and drove him out of the land, and he went then into
Scotland, and the king of the Scots protected him, and assisted him with
provisions ; and he dwelt there the whole summer.
Then came king Harold to Sandwich, and waited there for his fleet,
because it was a long time before it could be gathered together. And
when his fleet was gathered together, then went he into Wight, and there
lay all the summer and the autumn : and they had a land army every-
where by the sea [coast], though in the end it was of no profit. When it
was the Nativity of St. Mary [8th Sept.], then were the provisions of the
men exhausted, and no man could any longer hold them there. Then
were the men permitted to go home, and the king rode up, and the ships
jaroceeded to London, and many perished before they came thither. When
the ships had reached home, then came king Harold from Norway north
into Tyne, and unawares, with a very large ship army, and by no means
little ; they might be, or more.^ And earl Tostig came to him with all
that he had gotten, just as they had arranged beforehand ; and then went
they both, with aU the fleet, along the Ouse, up towards York.
Then was it intimated to king Harold in the south, when he was come
from his ships, that king Harold of Norway, and earl Tostig, were come up
nigh York. Then went he northward, day and night, as rapidly as he
could collect his army. Then before that king Harold could come thither,
then gathered earl Eadwine and earl Morkere from their earldom as great
a force as they could assemble, and they fought with the army and made a
great slaughter, and there was much of the English people slain, and
drowned, and driven away in flight ; and the Northmen had possession of
the place of slaughter. And this fight was on the vigil of St. ]\Iatthew the
apostle [20th Sept.], and it was a Wednesday. And then after the fight
went Harold, king of Norway, and earl Tostig into York, with as much
people as to them seemed good. And hostages were giveu them of the
city, and assistance of provisions likewise, and so they went thence to
their ships, and they agreed to a fuU peace, [namely,] that they should aU
go with him south and obtain this land.
Then, in the meantime, came Harold, king of the English, with aU his
army, upon the Sunday [24th Sept.], to Tada [Tadcaster], and there put
his army in array, and went then on Monday through York ; and Harold,
king of Norway, and earl Tostig and their force were gone from their ships
beyond York to Stanford-bridge, for it had been promised them of a
' From A.
2 ^rom C. in continuation from the text, at p. 117, note ^.
* The sense is here imperfect.
120 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 10G6—
certainty, that three hostages should be brought to meet them from every
shire. Then came narold, king of the English, against them unawares,
beyond the bridge, and they there met together, and continued fighting
for a long time of the day, very furiously. And there was Harold, king of
the Norwegians, slain, and earl Tostig, and a countless number of the
people with them, as weU of the Northmen as of the English ; and the
Northmen fled from the English.
'Then was there one of the Norwegians who witLstood the Enghsh
people, so that they could not pass over the bridge, nor obtain the victory.
Then shot an Englishman with a " flar," but it availed nothing ; and then
came another under the bridge and pierced him through in under the
hauberk. Then came Harold, king of the English, over the bridge, and his
army onward with him, and there committed great havoc as well of Nor-
wegians as of Flemings. And Harold permitted Hetmundus, the king's
son, to go home to Norway with all the ships.
A.D. 1066. 2 On this year was consecrated the minster at Westminster,
on Childermass day [28th Dec.]. And king Edward died on the eve of
Twelfth-mass [5th Jan.], and he was buried on Twelfth-mass day, within
the newly consecrated church at Westminster. And earl Harold succeeded
to the kingdom of England, as the king had granted it to him, and more-
over the people had chosen him thereto ; and he was blessed as king on
Twelfth-mass day. And that same year that he became king he went out
with a ship army against WiUiam ; and in the meantime came earl Tostig
into the Humber with sixty ships. Earl Eadwine came with a land force,
and drove him out, and the butse-carls forsook him. And he went to
Scotland with twelve vessels ; and Harold, king of the Norwegians, met
him with three hundred ships, and Tostig submitted to him ; and they
both went into the Humber, until they came to York. And earl Morkere
and earl Eadwine fought against them ; and the king of the Norwegians
had the victory.
And it was told king Harold how it was there done and had come to
pass ; and he came thefe with a gi-eat army of Englishmen, and met him
at Staeng-ford-bridge, and slew him and the earl Tostig, and honourably
overcame the whole army. And in the meantime the earl WiUiam landed
at Hastings, on St. Michael's-mass day [29th Sept.] ; and Harold came
from the north, and fought against him before aU his army had come up ;
and there he fell, and his two brothers, Gyrth and Leofwine ; and William
took this land. And he came to Westminster, and archbishop Ealdred
haUowed him to [be] king ; and the people paid him tribute and gave him
hostages, and afterwards bought their land.
And tlien was Leofric, abbat of Peterborough, in that same expedition ;
and there he grew sick, and came home, and was dead soon thereafter, on
the night of All-hallow mass [1st Nov.]. God be merciful to his soul ! In
his day was all bliss and aU good in Peterborough ; and he was dear to all
the people, so that the king gave to St. Peter and him the abbacy at
Burton, and that at Coventry, which the earl Leofric, who was his uncle,
had before made, and that at Crowland, and that at Thoi-ney. And he
did so much for good to the minster at Peterborough in gold, and in silver,
and in vestments, and in land, as did never any other before him, nor any
after him. Then was the golden city turned to the sorrowfid city. Theu
the monks chose Brand the provost for their abbat, for that he was a very
good man and very wise, and they sent him then to Aedgar the etheling,
by reason that the land-folk supposed that he should become king ; and
the etheling granted it him then gladly. When king William heard that
.said, then was he very wroth, and said that the abbat had despised him.
Then went good men between them, and reconciled them, becau.se that
the abbat was a good man. Then gave he tlie king forty marks of gold for
reconciliation, and then he lived a short while after that, only three years.
Afterwards came every distress and every evil to the minster. God be
merciful to it !
' The following narrative is in a later and difTcrcnt kind of Laud.
2 E.
A. D. 1067.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 121
A.D. 1067. ^Here came the king back again to England on St.
Niciiolas's-mass day [6th Dec], and on this day was burnt Christ-
church at Canterbury, and Wulfwi the bishop died, and is buried
at his see in Dorchester ; and Eadric, child, and the Britons became
at enmity and fought with the castle-men at Hereford, and did
them much harm. And now the king placed a great tribute upon
the miserable people ; and nevertheless still permitted his men to
harry all that they went over : and then he went to Devonshire and
beset the town of Exeter for eighteen days, and there many of his
army were slain ; but he had promised them well, and performed
ill, and they surrendered the town to him, because that the thanes
had betrayed them. ^And this summer Eadgar, child, went out
v/ith his mother Agatha and his two sisters, Margareta and Chris-
tina, and Mserla-Swegen, and many good men with them, and they
came to Scotland under the protection of king Malcholom, and he
received them all. Then began the king Malcholom to yearn after
Margaret, the child's sister, for his wife : but he, and all his men,
for a long time refused, and also she herself refused, 'and said that
she would have neither him nor any other, if the Supreme Power
would grant to her, that she, in her virginity, might please the
mighty Lord with her bodily heart in this short life in pure conti-
nence. The king earnestly urged her brother until he answered
Yea; and indeed he durst do nothing otherwise, because that
they were come within his power. It was then thus fulfilled as
God had provided beforehand, and otherwise it could not be, as
He himself has said in his Gospel, that a sparrow may not fall
forth on the ground without his foreknowledge. The prescient
Creator knew long before what He by her would have done, for
that she should increase the glory of God in that land, and rightly
direct the king from that erroneous path, and lead him to the
better way and his people along with him, and put down the evil
habits which the nation formerly followed : just as she afterwards
did. The king then took her, though it were against her own
inclination, and her disposition was pleasing to him, and he
thanked God, who to him such a mate had in his might given:
and wisely he bethought himself (for he was a prudent man), and
turned himself to God, and renounced all impurity, according to
that which the apostle Paul, the teacher of all the nations, says,
" Salvabitur vir infidelis per mulierem fidelem; sic et mulier infi-
delis per virum fidelem;" that is, in our language, "Full oft the
unbelieving husband shall be sanctified and healed through the
believing wife; and so in like manner the wife through the believing
husband." [1 Cor. vii. 14.] This fore-named queen afterwards
1 From this point to the conclusion of the Chronicle the translation has been
made from Ingram's text, collated with the Laud Manuscript.
- E. thus briefly narrates the subsequent events of this year : — " And this
summer went out Eadgar the child and Maerlegswegen, and many men with
them, and they went to Scotland ; and the king Malcolm received them all, and
took to wife Margaret, the child's sister."
'■' The editors of the Saxon Chronicle have not perceived that there are here
obvious traces of the incorporation into the text of a Saxon poem, though in a
corrupted form, as is proved by the imperfect alliteration, which, however, might
be restored without much difi&culty.
122 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1068—
performed many useful deeds in that land, to the honour of God ;
and also in her royal condition she well conducted herself, as her
nature was. She was sprung of a faithful and noble race ; her
father was Edward the etheling, the son of king Eadmund, Eadmund
was the son of Aethelred, Aethelred was the son of Eadgar, Eadgar
of Eadred, and so forth in the royal line ; and her descent on the
mother's side reaches to Henry the emperor, who had the dominion
over Rome.
This year went out Gytha the mother of Harold, and the wives of
many good men with her, into Bradan-reolice,' and there remained
some time, and went thence over the sea to St. Omers. This
Easter came the king to Winchester, and Easter was then on the
10th of the kalends of April [23d March, 1068], and soon after
this came Mathild, the lady, hither to this land, and Ealdred, the
archbishop, consecrated her as queen at Westminster, on Whit-
Sunday. Then it was intimated to the king that the people in the
north had gathered themselves together, and would stand against
him if he came. Then he went to Nottingham, and there built a
castle ; and thence he went to York, and there built two castles,
and at Lincoln, and everwhere in that district ; and the earl
Gospatric and the best men went into Scotland. And in the mean-
time came one of Harold's sons from Ireland with a fleet into the
mouth of the Avon, unawares, and soon harried over all that
district ; and thence they went to Bristol, and would have assailed
the town, but the townsmen bravely fought against them. And
when they could gain nothing from the borough, they went to their
ships with whatever they had harried, and so they went to Somerset-
shire, and there they landed, and Eadnoth, stallere, fought with
them, and tliere he was slain, and many good men on either side,
and those who survived departed thence.
A.D. ^1068. This year king William gave to Robert the earl the
earldom over Northumberland, but the men of the country besieged
him in the city of Durham, and slew him and nine hundred men
with him ; and soon after this Eadgar, etheling, came with all the
Northumbrians to York, and the townsmen made an agreement
with him, and king William came from the south unawares upon
them with a large army, and put them to flight, and there slew
those who could not escape, (there were many hundred men,) and
harried the city. He made St. Peter's minster despicable ; and all
the others he wholly plundered and despised ; and the etheling
returned to Scotland.
^After this came Harold's sons from Ireland, at midsummer
[24th June], with sixty-four ships, into Taw-mouth, where they
unwarily landed, and earl Breon* came unawares against them witii
no little army and fought against them, and slew there all the best
men who were in the fleet, and drove the other little troop to the
ships ; and Harold's sons departed to Ireland again.
' Steep-Holms, an island off the county of Somerset.
2 The date is from D.
' This paragraph is from D., and does not occur in R
* Ijcorn, Lye.
A.D. 1070.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 123
A.D. 1068. 'This year king William gave Robert the earl the earldom of
Northumberland ; then came the landsmen against him, and slew him, and
nine hmidred men with him. Then came Eadgar, ethehug, with all the
Northumbrians, to York, and the townsmen made a compact with him, and
kino- WiUiam came fi-om the south with all his army and harried the city
and slew many hundred men ; and the etheling returned to Scotland.
A.D. 1069. ^This year departed Aldred archbishop of York, and
he is there buried at his bishop's see ; and he died on the day of
Protus and Jacinthus [11th Sept.], and he held his archiepiscopal
see with much honour for ten years, wanting only fifteen weeks.
Soon after this came from Denmark "three of the sons of king
Swegen, with two hundred and forty ships, and earl Esbeorn and
earl Thurkyl, into the Humber, and there Eadgar, child, and earl
Waldtheof, and Maerleswegen, and earl Gospatric, with the North-
umbrians and all the land-folk, met them, riding and marching with
a large army, rejoicing exceedingly: and so with one consent they
all went to York, and took and destroyed the castle, and won
therein countless treasures : and there they slew many hundred
Frenchmen, and many of them they took to the ships with them.
And before that the shipmen came thither the Frenchmen had
burnt the city, and also had entirely harried the holy minster of St.
Peter, and burnt it. When the king understood this he went
northward with all the army which he could muster, and he entirely
harried and wasted the shire ; and the fleet lay the whole winter
within the Humber, where the king could not come at them. And
the king was at York on midwinter day [25th Dec], and also the
whole winter in that land, and he came to Winchester at the same
Easter. And bishop Aegelric was betrayed (he was at Peter-
borough) and taken to Westminster, and his brother bishop
Aegelwine was outlawed. ^And in this same year died Brand,
abbat of Peterborough, on the 5th of the kalends of December
[27th Nov.].
A.D. 1069. ^Tliis year bishop Aegelric was betrayed at Peterborough,
and they sent him to Westminster, and outlawed his brother bishop
Aegelwine. Then, between the two feasts of St. Mary [15th Aug., 8th
Sept.], people came from the east, from Denmark, with three hundred ships,
namely the sons of king Swaegue, and his brother earl Osbearn; then
went out the earl Waltheaf, and he, and Eadgar, etheUng, and many hundred
men with them, came, and they met the 3eet in the Humber, and they
went to York, and landed, and won the castles, and slew many hundred
men, and carried many treasures to the shij^s, and put the chief men in
chains ; and they lay between the Ouse and the Trent aU that winter, and
king William went into that shire, and they aU departed.
A.D. 1070. ^This year, Landfranc, he who had been abbat at
Caen, came to England ; after a few days he became archbishop of
Canterbury, He was consecrated on the 4th of the kalends of
September^ [29th Aug.], in his own episcopal see, by eight of his
1 From E.
^ From D., which, however, assigns no date to the events ; it has been sup-
plied from Florence. E. is here blank.
3 To the end of the year from E. * From E.
5 Whelock, Gibson, and Ingram, from MS. A. as far as " benediction." Wanting
in D. and E.
0 Namely, the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, and the festival of the be-
heading of St. John the Baptist.
124 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1070.
suffragan bishops ; and the others who were not there, by mes-
sengers and by letters, stated why they could not be present.
This year, Thomas, who was bishop elect of York, came to
Canterbury, that he might be there consecrated according to the
old custom ; then when Landfranc demanded the confirmation of
his obedience with an oath, he refused, and said that he ought not
to do it.
Then archbishop Landfranc was angry, and commanded the
bishops (who had there assembled by the command of archbishop
Landfranc to perform the service), and all the monks, that they
should unrobe themselves ; and, at his command, they did so. And
so Thomas at that time departed without the benediction. Soon
after this it happened that archbishop Landfranc went to Rome,
and Thomas went with him. When they had come thither, and
had spoken about other things concerning which they wished to
speak, then Thomas began his speech, how he came to Canterbury,
and how the archbishop had demanded obedience with the swearing
of an oath from him, and he refused it. Then began the arch-
bishop Landfranc to declare, with clear reason, that he riglitfully
demanded whatever he had demanded, and he established the same
with strong sayings before the pope Alexander, and before all the
council which was there assembled ; and so they went home. After
this came Thomas to Canterbury, and he obediently fulfilled all
that the archbishop demanded of him, and after that he received
the benediction.'
This year the earl Waltheof made peace with the king, and on
the Lent of this year the king caused all the minsters which are in
England to be harried. On this same year came Swegn, king of
Denmark, into the Humber ; and the people of the country came
to meet him, and made a treaty with him, thinking that he would
overrun the land. Then came into Ely Christien," the Danish bishop,
and Osbcarn the earl, and the Danish house-carles with them, and
the English people of all the fen-lands came to them, thinking
that they would win all that land. Then the monks of Peterborough
heard say that their own men intended to harry the minster, that
is, Hereward and his troop ; and that was because they heard say that
the king had given the government of the abbey to a French abbat,
who was named Turold, and that he was a very stern man, and that
he had then come into Stamford with all his Frenchmen. Then
was there a church ward, who was named Yware ; and he took thence
by night all that he could, namely, Christ's books, and mass-robes,
and cantle -capes, and vestments, and such other small matters, as
much as he could ; and he went early before day to the abbatTurold,
and told him that he sought his protection, and gave him to under-
stand that the outlaws intended coming to Peterborough ; and that
he did all by the advice of the monks. Then early in the morning
came all the outlaws, with many ships, and wished to come into
the minster ; but the monks resisted, so that they could not enter.
^ Here ends the text of this year in the edition of \Mielock.
^ Concerning this Danish bishop see Langcbeck, kjcripp. Ecrum Dauicaruni,
iii. 247.
A.D. 1070.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 125
Then they laid fire to it, and burnt up all the houses of the monks,
and all the town,^ except one house. Then by the means of fire
they gained an entrance at Bull-hithe-gate, and the monks came
and met them, and besought peace from them ; but they cared
nothing. They went into the minster, climbed up to the holy
rood, took the crown from our Lord's head, which was all of
wrought gold ; they took then the bracket which was beneath his
feet, which was all of red gold ; they climbed up to the steeple,
brought down the haecce which was there hidden — it was all of gold
and of silver — and took then two golden shrines and nine of silver,
and they took fifteen large crosses, as well of gold as of silver ; and
they took there so much gold and silver, and so many treasures
in money, and in vestments, and in books, as no man could count
to another ; and they said that they did this from their fidelity to
the minster. After this they betook themselves to their ships ; they
proceeded to Ely, and then stowed away all the treasure there. The
Danish men imagined that they would overcome the Frenchmen,
and drove out all the monks, and left there none but one monk,
who was named Leofwine Lang [the Tall] ; he lay sick in the infir-
mary. Then came Turold the abbat, and eight times twenty
Frenchmen with him, all fully armed. Wlien he came thither he
found it all consumed, within and without, excepting the church
alone ; but the outlaws were at that time all afloat, for they knew
that he intended coming thither. This was done on the 4th day of
the nones of June [2d June]. The two kings, William and Swaegn,
were reconciled ; then went the Danes out of Ely, with all the before-
mentioned treasure, and took it away with them. Wlien they were
come in the middle of the sea there arose a great storm, and scat-
tered all the ships in which the treasures were. Some went to
Norway, some to Ireland, some to Denmark. And all that reached
there — namely, the hsecce, and some of the shrines and of the roods,
and many of the other treasures — they brought it to a king's town
named ^ . . . . , and placed it all there, in the church. Then after-
wards, through their carelessness and through their drunkenness, on
a certain night the church and all that was within it was consumed
with fire. Thus was the minster of Peterborough burnt and harried;
may Almighty God have pity upon it, through his great compassion !
And thus the abbat Turold came to Peterborough, and the monks
met him, and did Christ's service in the church, which
Before had stood full seven night
Withouten any kind of rite.
When bishop Aegelric understood this, he excommunicated all the
men who had done that evil deed.
There was great famine this year ; and in this summer came the
fleet from the north of the Humber into the Thames, and lay there
two nights, and proceeded afterwards to Denmark. And Baldwin
the earl died, and his son Arnulf ^ succeeded him ; and earl William
* Probably the close or enclosure around the minster.
^ Blank in the Saxon original.
3 See the relative position of these individuals iu the table in Anderson'd
GenealogieSj 594.
12G CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1071—
should have been his guardian, and also the king of the French ;
then came the earl Robert and slew his relation Arnulf and the
earl, and put the king to flight, and slew many thousands of
his men.
A.D. 1071. 'This year the earl Waeltheof made peace with the king ; and
in the Lent of this year the king caused to be plundered all the minsters
which were in England ; and this year there was great hunger, and the
minster at Peterborough was plundered by the men whom the bishop
Aegelric had previously excommimicated, because that they had there
taken all his property. And this same summer came the fleet into the
Thames, and there lay two nights, and thereafter proceeded to Denmark ;
and the earl Baldwin died, and Arnulf his son succeeded him ; and the king
of the French and the earl WiUiam should have been his guardians, but
there came Robert, and slew Arnulf, his kinsman, and the earl William,
and put the king to flight, and slew many thousands of his men.
A.D. 1071. ^In this year earl Eadwin and earl Morker escaped,
and went at large in the woods and the fields.^ Then went earl
Morker to Ely by ship, and earl Eadwin was slain ignominiously by
his own men ; and bishop Aegelwin and Siward Beam came, and
many hundred men with them, into Ely.* And when king William
understood that, he summoned a ship army and a land army, and
surrounded that land all about, and made a bridge, and entered
within ; and the ship army on the side by the sea. The outlaws
then all submitted, namely, bishop Aegelwin and earl Morker, and
all those who were with them, excepting only Hereward, and all
they who would go with him, and he led them out honourably.
And the king took their ships and weapons, and great treasures ;
and he took all the men, and did with them what he would ; and
the bishop Aegelwine he sent to Abingdon, and he died there early
in the winter.*
A.D. "1072. This year king William led a ship army and a
land army to Scotland, and beset that land on the sea-ports with
ships, and his land army he [himself] led in at the "Gerwaede,'"
and there he found nothing by which he was the better. And the
king Malcolm came and made his peace with the king William,
and gave hostages, and became his vassal ; and the king returned
home with all his army. And the bishop Egelric died; he had
been consecrated bishop to York, but it was unjustly taken from
him, and the bishopric of Durham was given to him, and he kept
it as long as he would, and he resigned it afterwards and went to
Burch to St. Peter's minster, and there he resided twelve years.
After that the king William had won England, he took him from
' These events, above given under the year 1070, arc in D. and E, referred
to 1071, and recorded iu this contracted form.
* From this point to the end of the Chronicle the only authority of Gibson was
E., but Ingram collated the Cottouian MS. D. and that which he calls the Teter-
borough copy, both of which pi-oceed as far as the year 1080.
* " until Eadwine was slain by his own men, and Morkarc with a fleet went
ignominiously to Ely, and there came bishop Acgelwiue and Sigward Barn." D.
* " into Ely," omitted iu D.
* "early iu the winter," omitted in D., supplied from E.
« A.D. 1072, Peterb. A.D. 1073, D.
^ "and he himself went in over the Wath" (i.e. the ford), D. Ingram con-
jectures an error here in the text for " the Tweed," and translates accordingly.
A.D. 1075.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICIJ:. 127
Peterborough and sent him to Westminster, and there he died on
the ides of October [15th Oct.], and he is buried there within the
minster, within the porch of St. Nicolas.
A.D. H073. This year king William led an English army and a
French over the sea, and won the district Mans, and the English-
men exceedingly ravaged it ; they destroyed the vineyards and
burnt the towns, and very much damaged the district, and they
subdued it all 'to the hands of king William, and afterwards they
departed home to England.
A.D. ^1074. This year king William went over the sea to
Normandy, and the child Eadgar came from the land of the
Flemings into Scotland on the mass -day of St. Grimbald [8th
July], and the king IVIalcholom and his sister IVEargaret received
him with much honour. At that same time the king of France,
Philip, sent a writing to him and entreated him that he would
come to him, and he would give him the castle at Mustrael,
that he might aftenvards daily do injuries to his enemies. What
then ? king Malcolm and his sister Margaret gave him great gifts
and many treasures, and all his men, consisting of skins, ornamented
with paU, and of costly pilches, and of grey skins, and of ermine
skins, and of palls, and of vessels of gold and of silver, and con-
ducted him and all his ship-men from his jurisdiction with great
honour. But on their journey evil happened them. When they
were out at sea, very rough weather came upon them, and the
raging sea and the strong wind drove them on the land, and all
their ships went to pieces, and they themselves reached the land
with difficulty. He lost nearly all their treasures, and some of his
men also w^ere taken by the Frenchmen ; but he himself and his
best men returned again to Scotland, some walking pitifully on
foot, and some riding miserably. Then king Malcolm advised him
that he should send to king William over the sea and entreat his
reconcihation ; and he did even so, and the king granted it to him,
and sent after him. And once more king Malcr>lm and his sister
gave countless treasures to him and all his men, and again sent him
from their jurisdiction very honourably ; and the sheriff of York
came to meet him at Durham, and went all the way with him, and
caused him to be provided with food and fodder at every castle to
which they came, until they should come over the sea to the king.
And king William then received him with much worship, and he
was there in his court, and accepted such privileges as he allowed
him.*
A.D. HO75. This year king William gave to earl Ralph" the
daughter of William, the son of Osbearn ; and the same Ralph was
a Briton on his mother's side, and his father, who was called
J D. refers this to the year 1074. 2 To the end of the year from D.
^ So E. and the Peterborough copies. A.D. 1075, D.
* E. thus briefly recounts these incidents : — " a.d. 1074. This year king
William went over the sea to Normandy, and child Eadgar came from Scotland
to Normandy, and the king inlawed him and all his men, and he was in the king's
court, and accepted such privileges as the king granted him."
* This date is from E. a.d. 1076, D.
« Compare Florence of Worcester's account of this event.
128 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1076—
Ralph, was an Englishman, and he was born in Norfolk. The
king therefore gave his son the earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk, and
he then took his wife to Norwich. There was a marriage mis-
chievous to men. There was earl Roger and earl Waltheof, and
bishops, and abbats ; and there they came to the conclusion that
they would drive the king out of the kingdom of England. And it
was soon told the king in Normandy how it had been resolved, that
earl Roger and earl Ralph were the originators of that plot, and
that they were alluring the Britons to them, and were sending
eastward to Denmark for a naval force to assist them. And Roger
went west to his earldom and gathered his people, to the king's in-
jury, as he thought, but it was to the great harm of himself. He was
hindered however. Ralph also in his earldom would go forth with
his people ; but the castle -men who were in England and also the
land-folk came against him, and so made it that he did nothing,
'but he took to the ships at Norwich. And his wife was within the
castle, and held it so long that they gave her peace, and she then
went out of England, and all her men who would go with her.
And the king afterwards came to England, and took earl Roger his
relative, and put him in prison, and Waltheof the earl went over
the sea and concealed himself, and asked for forgiveness and offered
treasures. But the king took little notice of it until he [Waltheof]
came into England, and then he caused him to be apprehended.
And soon after this there came from the east, from Denmark, two
hundred ships, and therein were two chief men, Cnut, Swaegn's son,
and earl Hacun, and they did not dare to hold a tight with king
William. But they went to York and brake into St. Peter's
minster, and took therein great possessions, and so departed, and
passed over the sea to Flanders; ^but all they perished who were
[acquainted] with the design, namely, the son of earl Hacun, and
many others with him. And Eadg)'th, the lady, died ^(she was
the widow of king Eadward) seven nights before Christ's mass
[17th Dec], at Winchester; and the king caused her to be
brought to Westminster with great honour, and laid her with
Eadward the king, her lord. And the king was then at West-
minster, at midwinter [25th Dec], and there were destroyed all
the Britons who were at the bridal at Norwich. Some were
blinded, some banished from the country, some were put to
shame. Thus were the traitors of king William subdued.
A.D. "1076. This year departed Swacgn, king of Denmark, and
Harold his son succeeded him in the kingdom. And this year king
William gave the government of the abbey of Westminster to abbat
Vithel, who had formerly been abbat at Baernege. And 'this year
earl Waltheof was beheaded at Winchester, "^ on the mass-day
' So E. ; but D. reads, " but be was glad to flee to tbe ships, and bis wife re-
mained bebind in tbe castle, and kept it so long until they gave her peace."
^ The conclusion of tbe sentence is omitted by E.
^ This e.xplanatory clause is from D., and does not occur in E.
* So E. and Peterb. MS. A.D. 1077, D.
' These two woi-ds, " this year," do not occur in E , but are found in D.
As to the chronology of this event, compare Florence of 'Worcester.
0 The date of this occuj-rence is from D.
A.D. 1079.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 129
of St. Petronilla [31st May], and his body was conveyed to
Crowland, and there he is buried. And king WilUam went
over the sea, and led his army to Brittany, and besieged the castle
at Dol ; but the Britons retained it until the king came from
France, and then king William departed thence, and there he lost
as well men as horses, and many of his treasures.
A.D. 1077. ^This year were reconciled the king of the French
and William king of England, but it continued for a little while.
And this year there was a fire in London one night before the
assumption of St. INiaiy [16th Aug.], so great as there never had
before been since it was founded.
^This year the moon was eclipsed three nights before Candlemas
[30th Jan.]. *And this year died Aegelwig, the world-wise abbat
of Evesham, on the 14th day of the kalends of March [16th Feb.],
on the mass-day of St. Juliana, and Walter w^as appointed abbat in
his place ; and Hereman the bishop also died on the tenth of the
kalends of March [20th Feb.]; he was bishop in Berkshire, and in
Wiltshire, and in Dorsetshire. And this year king Malcholom
captured the mother of Maelslaeht * and all his best men,
and all his treasure, and his cattle, and he himself escaped with
difficulty ^ This year also was the dry summer, and wild
fire came on many shires, and burnt up many towns, and also
burnt up many cities.
A.D. 1078."
A.D. 1079. ^This year Robert, the son of king William, started
off from his father to his uncle Robert in Flanders, because his
father would not let him possess his earldom in Normandy, which
he himself and also the king Philip with his consent had given him,
and the best men in the land had sworn oaths to him and accepted
him as their lord.
In this year Robert fought with his father out of Normandy,
near a castle called Gerborneth, and wounded him in the hand,
and his horse on which he sat was shot under [liim] and so
slain ; and the person who brought him another was there imme-
diately shot with an arblast, namely, Tokig Wiggod's son, and
many were slain there and also taken prisoners, and also his son
William was there wounded, and Robert afterwards returned to
Flanders. We will not here however write any more mischief
which he [did] to his father.'
This year came Malcolm, king of Scotland, into England between
the two Mary-masses [15th Aug., 8th Sept.], with a great army,
' From E. ; wanting in D.
- From D. ; wanting in E. The fragment appended to Lye's Saxon Dictionary-
ascribes this to the year 1078.
^ From E. ; wanting in D. as far as the words are concerned which ascribe
the event to this year.
* Here in D. there is a blank space equivalent to two half lines.
^ A blank space here occurs in D. of greater extent than the former.
" This year being left blank in E., restores that copy to an uniformity of
chronology with D.
' From D. as far as "to his father," with the exception of a few passages
supplied from E.
** Here ends abruptly the valuable Cotton MS. D. It contains a notice,
VOL. II. K
130 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1080—
harried Northumberland until^it reached the Tyne, and slew many
hundred men, and carried home much money and treasures, and
many men into captivity.
A.D. 1080. This year was bishop Walcher slain at Durham, at
a conference, and a hundred men with him, French and Flemish
and he himself was born in Lorraine. This did the Northumbrians
in the month of May.
A.D. 1081. This year the king led an army into Wales, and
there he freed many hundred men.
A.D. 1082. This year the king took bishop Oda ; and this year
there was a great famine.
A.D. 1083. This year began the dispute at Glastonbury between
the abbat Thurstan and his monks. It arose first from the want of
wisdom of the abbat, that he misdirected his monks in many
things, and the monks complained of it to him in loving manner,
and entreated him that he would govern them according to riglit,
and love them, and they would be faithful to him and obedient.
But the abbat would do none of this, but did them evil and
promised them worse. One day the abbat went into the chapter,
and spoke against the monks, and would have afflicted them, and
sent after laymen, and they came into the chapter upon the monks
fully armed. And then were the monks very much afraid of them,
and knew not what they were to do, but they rushed out. Some
ran into the church, and locked the doors upon themselves ; but
they went after them into the minster, and wished to drag them
out, so that they durst not go out at all. But a lamentable thing
happened there that day. The Frenchmen broke into the quire and
shot toward the altar where the monks were, and some of the
knights went upon the upper floor, and shot downwards with
arrows towards the haligdom,' so that many arrows stuck in the
wood which stood above the altar. And the wretched monks
lay round about the altar, and some crept under it, and earnestly
called to God, entreating his mercy, since they could obtain no
mercy from men, Wliat may we say? but that they shot vehe-
mently, and the others broke the doors down there, and went
in and slew certain of the monks to death, and wounded many
therein, so that the blood came from the altar upon the steps, and
from the steps to the floor. Three were there slain to death, and
eighteen were wounded.
And in this same year departed Matilda, king William's queen,
on the day after AU-hallow-mass day [2d Nov.]. And in this same
year, after Midwinter, the king proclaimed a great and a heavy
contribution over all England, which was for eveiy hide of land two-
and-seventy pence.
in a later hand, relative to the year 1130, wliieli, togetlicr with the variations
afforded by a transeri])t on paper made by Joscelin, extending from 1123 to
1131, will be given in their proper places. With these exceptions the Chronicle
from A.D. lUSO to the end is derived entirely from the Laud MS. E.
' Ingram translates this " tho sanctuary," but I am rather inclined to under-
stand it as meaning the portion of the consecrated host which was allowed to
remain over the altar.
A.D. lose] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 131
A.D. 1084. This year departed Wulfuuold, abbat of Chertsey,
on the 14th of the kalends of May [18th April].
A.D. 1085. This year it was said, and reported for a truth, that
Canute, king of Denmark, the son of king Swaegn, was proceeding
hitherward, and that he intended to win this country with the
assistance of Robert, earl of Flanders, because Canute had [to wife]
Robert's daughter.^ When William, king of England, understood
this — he was then resident in Normandy, for he owned both
England and Normandy — he went into England with so great an
army of riding men and marching men, from France and Brittany,
such as had never sought this land before, so that people wondered
how this land might support all that army. But the king caused the
army to distribute itself over all this land among his men, and they
provisioned the army, each in proportion to his land. And people
had much trouble this year ; and the king caused that the land
near the sea should be laid waste, that if his enemies landed they
might not have anything upon which they could provide themselves
so readily. But when the king understood of a truth that his
enemies were hindered, and could not put forward their expedition,
then he caused a portion of the army to return to their own land,
and some he kept in this land over the winter. Then at the Mid-
winter [25th Dec], was the king at Gloucester with his council,
and held his court there for five days ; and afterwards the archbishop
and the clergy held a synod for three days. There was Maurice
chosen as bishop of London, and William of Norfolk, and Robert
of Chester ; they were all the king's clerks. After this the king
had a great meeting, and a very deep conference with his witan
concerning this land, how it was leased out, or to what kind of
men. Then sent he his men over all England into each shire, and
directed them to ascertain how many hundred hides were in each
shire, or what quantity of land the king himself held, and how much
stock was upon the land, or what dues he ought to have by the
twelvemonth from the shire. Also he caused to be recorded in
writing how much land his archbishops held, and his diocesan
bishops, and his abbats, and his earls, and (though I take long to
tell it,) what, or how much, each man, who was a tenant of land,
occupied within England, in land or in stock, and how much
money it was worth. So exceedingly narrowly did he cause the
investigation to be made, that there was not one single hide, nor
one yard of land, nay moreover — it is a disgrace to recount it,
but he considered it no disgrace to do it, — neither an ox, nor a
cow, nor a swine was there left, which was not written down in his
record. And all these writings were brought to him afterwards.
A.D. 1086. Tliis year the king wore his crown and held his court
at Winchester, at Easter [5th April], and so he journeyed that he
was at Westminster at the Pentecost [24th May], and he dubbed
his son Henry as knight there. Aftei-wards he moved about so that
by the Lammas [1st Aug.], he came to Salisbury, and there his
witan came to him, and all the tenants of land that were of
consequence over all England became the vassals of this man,
1 See Anderson's Royal Genealogies, 418, 594.
K 2
132 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1087
whosoever they were, and they all submitted to him and became his
men, and swore to him oaths of fidelity that they would be faithful
to him against all other men. Thence he went into Wight, because
he intended to proceed into Normandy, and so he did afterwards ;
yet before this he did according to his custom, he obtained a very
large sum of money from his people where he could make any
charge, either with right, or otherwise. Then afterwards he went
into Normandy, and Edgar etheling, the relative of king Eadward,
then went oft" from him, because he had no great honour from
him; but may Almighty God give him worship for the future!
And Christina, the sister of the etheling, betook herself into the
minster at Romsey, and took the holy veil.
And this same year was a very heavy year, and a very laborious
and a sorrowful year within England by the murrain of cattle, and
corn and fruits were left standing ; and such mishap was there in
the weather as that one cannot easily think; such heavy thunder
and lightning was there that it killed many men, and ever it grew
worse among men, more and more. May God Almighty amend
it, when his will is !
A.D. 1087. After the birth of our Lord [and] Saviour Christ
one thousand and eighty-seven winters, on the one-and-tw-entieth
year after that William governed and ruled England, (as God
permitted him,) there was a very oppressive and very pestilential
year in this land. Such a pestilence came upon men that very
nearly every second man was ill with that very evil disease; namely,
with the diarrhoea, and that so powerfully that many men died of
that disease. Afterwards there cam.e, in consequence of the exceed-
ing badness of the weather, (which happened as w-e before have
mentioned,) so great a famine over all England, that many hundred
men died a miserable death through hunger. Alas ! how miserable
and how lamentable a period was that ! when the wretched men
lay nearly purged to death, and after\vards came the sharp hunger
and despatched them entirely. Wlio will not lament over sucli a
period ? or who is so hard-hearted as not to w-eep at such a
calamity ? But such an occurrence happens for tlie sins of tlie
people, because they will not love God and righteousness. So it
was then in those days, that little right dealing was in this land
among any people, except among the monks alone, wherever they
fared well. The king and the chief men loved much (and too
much) covetousness of gold and of silver, and cared not how sinfully
it were obtained, provided it reached them. The. king gave his
land as dearly to rent as he might possibly do for the dearest ;
then came some other person and offered more than the other had
before given, and the king let it to the man who oftcred him the more.
Then came the third, and oftcred a larger sum still; and the king
let it to the possession of the man who oftcred him most of all;
and he heeded nothing how very sinfully the reeves obtained it
from the miserable men, nor how many unlawful acts they com-
mitted; but the more that was said about true laws, so much tlie
more lawlessly did they act. They set up unjust tolls, and many
other unlawful things they did, which are difficult to enumerate.
A.D. 1087.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 133
Also in this same year before harvest, the holy minster of
St. Paul, the episcopal see in London, was burnt, and many other
minsters, and the greatest part and the richest of all the city. So
also at the same time, almost all the chief towns in all England
were burnt. Alas ! pitiful and lamentable was the time this year
which produced so many misfortunes.
Also in this same year, before the Assumption of St. Mary [15th
Aug.], king William departed from Normandy into France with an
army, and harried his own lord Philip the king, and slew a great
part of his men, and burnt the city Mathante, and all the holy
minsters that were within the city ; and two holy men who served
God, dwelling in a cell as anchorites, were there burnt. These
things being done, king William returned again to Normandy.
This was a lamentable thing which he had done, and a more
lamentable thing befell himself. Wliat more lamentable thing ?
He fell sick, and his ailment grew strong. How may I tell it?
The sharp death, who spares neither rich man nor poor, laid hold
on him. He died in Normandy on the day next after the Nativity
of St. Mary [9th Sept.], and he was buried at Cathum, at St.
Stephen's minster, which he had formerly erected, and afterwards
enriched in many ways. Alas ! how false and worthless is the
prosperity of this world ! He who a short time before had been a
rich king, and the lord of many lands, had then no more of all his
land than the space of seven feet; and he who was formerly clothed
with gold and gems, there he lay covered over with mould. He left
behind him three sons: the eldest was named Robert (he was earl
of Normandy after him) ; the second was named William, he bore
the crown after him in England ; the third was called Henry, to
whom his father bequeathed innumerable treasures.
If any one desires to know what sort of man he was, or what
honour he had, or of how many lands he was lord, then will we
write concerning him just as we found him, we who have seen
him, and formerly lived in his court. The king William of whom
we speak was a very wise man, and very powerful, and more
honourable and stronger than any of his ancestors were. He was
gentle to those good men who loved God ; and beyond all measure
stern to those men who opposed his own will. On that same site
where God permitted him that he should win England, he erected
a great minster, and placed therein monks, and well he endowed
it. In his day was the greater minster built at Canterbury, and
also many others over all England. Also was this land exceed-
ingly well filled with monks, who guided their lives according to
the rule of St. Benedict. And such was the condition of Chris-
tendom in his day, that each man followed what belonged to his
order, just as he himself pleased. He was also very dignified :
each year he wore his crown thrice, as often as he was in England;
on Easter he wore it at Winchester, on Whitsuntide at West-
minster, on Christmas at Gloucester. And at these times there
were with him all the powerful men from over all England; arch-
bishops and diocesan bishops, abbats and earls, thanes and knights.
So very severe a man was he, and so quickly provoked, that no one
134 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1087-
dared to do anything against his will. He had in his bonds earls
who had acted against his pleasure. Bishops he deposed from
their bishoprics, and abbats from their abbacies, and thanes he put
in prison; and at last he did not spare his own brother, who was
called Odo. He w^as a very powerful bishop in Normandy, his see
was at Baius, and he w^as the foremost of all men to augment [the
power of] the king. He had an earldom in England ; and when
the king was in Normandy, then was he the most powerful man
in this land. And he [William] placed him in prison.
Among other matters this must by no means be forgotten, the
good peace that he made in this land ; so that a man of property
might go by himself alone over his realm unhurt, having his bosom
full of gold. No man dared to slay another, how great soever
the evil which he had done to the other ; and if any male had
intercourse with a woman against her consent, he soon lost the
member that he had played with. He reigned over England, and
so entirely did he understand it by his cunning policy, that there
was not a hide of land within England that he knew not who
owned it, or how much it was worth ; and afterwards he put it
down in his writing. The land of the Britons was in his power,
and therein he built castles, and entirely governed that nation. So
also he subjugated Scotland by his great strength. The land of
Normandy was his naturally, and he ruled over the earldom called
Mans ; and if he might have lived two years longer, he w ould have
won Ireland by his valour and without any weapons. Truly in his
time men had much labour and very many sorrows. He caused
castles to be built, and the poor men to be made to labour heavily.
The king was so exceedingly stern, and took from his subjects
many a mark of gold, and more hundred pounds of silver, that he
took by right and with great unright of his people, for little need.
He* was fallen into covetousness, and he loved greediness above
all. He instituted a great protection for deer, and he established
laws therewith, that whosoever slew hart or hind that he should be
blinded. He forbid the harts and the boars also [to be slain], so
much he loved the tall deer as if he were their father. Also he
commanded respecting the hares that they must free fare; his rich
men lamented it, and the miserable people murmured at it. But
so firm was he that he cared nothing for the ill-will of the whole
of them ; yet must they entirely follow the king's pleasure, if they
wished to live or possess their land, — land, or property, or have
good quiet. Alas ! that any man should be proud and thus exalt
himself, and boast above all men. May the Almighty God show
mercy to his soul, and grant him forgiveness of his sins !
These things have we written concerning him, as well the good
as the evil, that what is good men may accept according to their
goodness, and entirely forsake that which is evil, and walk in the
way which leadeth us to the kingdom of heaven.
Many things may we write which were done this same year. It
happened in Denmark that the Danes, who were formerly con-
' Throughout thia passage there are traces of metrical arrangement, Bhowing
that we have here a fragment of a poem upon the character of the Conqueror.
A.D. 1088.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 135
sidered the most faithful of all people, were perverted to the
greatest untruth and to the greatest treachery that ever might happen.
They chose Cnut as their king, and submitted to him, and swore
oaths to him, and afterwards, in cowardly fashion, they slew him
in a church. It happened also in Spain that the heathen men
went and harried upon the christian men, and reduced much [of
the country] to their rule. But the king of the Christians, who
was named Auphos, sent everywhere into each land and asked for
assistance, and people came to his aid from each land that was
christian, and they went and slew and drove away all the heathen
folk, and won their land again, through God's assistance. Also in
this same land, in this same year, died many rich men ; Stigand,
bishop of Chichester, and the abbat of St. Augustine, and the
abbat of Bath, and the abbat of Pershore, and the lord of them all,
William king of England, of whom we before spoke.
After his death his son, who was also called William as well as
his father, took the kingdom, and was blessed as king by Lanfranc,
the archbishop of Westminster, three days before the ]\Iass-day of
St. Michael [27th Sept.], and all the men in England submitted
to him and swore oaths to him. This being done the king w^ent
to Winchester, and examined the treasury and the treasures which
his father had before gathered, of gold and of silver, of vessels,
and of palls, and of gems, and of many other precious things which
are difficult to reckon. The king then did as his father had told
him before he died ; he divided these treasures for his father's soul
to each minster which was in England ; to some minsters ten
marks of gold, to some six ; to each upland church sixty pence ;
and to each shire there were sent one hundred pounds of money,
to distribute to the poor men for his soul. And before he died,
he directed that they should release all the men who were m con-
finement under his power. And the king was at London at the
Midwinter [25th Dec.].
A.D. 1088. In this year was the land much stirred and filled
with great treachery, so that the most powerful Frenchmen who
were within this land wished to betray their lord the king, and
wished to have as their king his brother Robert, who was earl of
Normandy. In this counsel first of all was Oda the bishop, and
Gosfrith the bishop, and William bishop of Durham. So well had
the king acted towards the bishop [Oda], that all England fared
according to his counsel, and just as he would ; and he [Oda]
thought to do by him as Judas Scarioth did by our Lord. And
earl Roger was also at this evil counsel, and very much people with
him, all Frenchmen ; and this plot was planned in Lent. As soon
as Easter [16th April] came, then went they and harried, and
burned, and wasted the king's farm-dwellings, and ravaged the land
of all the men who were in the king's fealty ; and each of them
went to his castle, and manned it and victualled it as they best
might ; Bishop Gosfrith and Robert Amundbraeg went to Bristol,
and plundered it, and brought the plunder to tlie castle. And
afterwards they went out of the castle, and plundered Bath, and all the
land thereabout ; and they wasted all the jurisdiction of Berkeley,
136 CHURCH HISTORIAN'S OF ENGLAND. [a.D. lOSS—
And the eldest men who were of Hereford, and all the shire with
them, and the men of Shropshire, with much people of Wales,
came and harried and burned in Worcestershire, until they came to
the town itself ; and they wished to burn the town and pillage the
minster, and win the king's castle into their possession. The
honourable bishop Wulfstan, seeing these things, was much dis-
tressed in his mind, because that the castle had been committed to
him to keep. Yet his retainers went out with a few men of the castle,
and by God's mercy and by the bishop's merits, they slew and cap-
tured live hundred men, and put all the others to flight. The bishop
of Durham did all the harm he could over all the north. One of them
was called Roger, who got possession of the castle at Norwich, and
did yet worse still over all that land. Hugh also was one of those
who did ao better than this in any respect, neither in Leicestershire,
nor in Northampton. The bishop Odo, one of the same descent as
the king himself,' vent into Kent to his earldom, and ruined it very
much ; and they plundered the land of the king and of the arch-
bishop entirely : and he brought all the plunder into his castle at
Rochester. When the king understood al' these things, and what
treachery they committed towards his [adherents], then was he
much troubled in his mind. Then sent he after Englishmen, and
informed them of his necessity, and begged for their assistance ;
and he promised them the best laws that ever before had been in
this land ; and he forbid every improper tax, and granted to the
men their woods and [the right of] killing [the deer]. But this
lasted nowhile. Nevertheless the Englishmen undertook to assist
the king their lord. Then they went toward Rochester, desiring to
secure the bishop Odo ; for they concluded that could they lay hold
of him who was the chief originator of the plot, they should the
easier obtain possession of all the others. Then came they to the
castle of Tunbridge, and then there were within the castle the
knights of the bishop Odo, and many others, wdio determined to
hold it against the king. But the Englishmen came and brake into
the castle ; and the men who were within it made peace with the
king. The king, with his army, went towards Rochester, and they
imagined that the bishop was therein ; but it was made known to
the king that the bishop was gone to the castle at Pevensea ; and
the king with his army went after him, and surrounded the castle
round about, with a very large army, full six weeks.
In the meantime Robert the earl of Normandv, the king's brother,
gathered a very large [number of] people, and thought to win Eng-
land with the assistance of the men who were within this land, against
the king ; and he sent some of his men to this land, resolving that
he himself would come after. But the Englishmen who guarded
the sea captured some of the men and slew them, and drowned
more than any man was able to number.
When meat began to fail those who were within the castle, then
they craved for peace, and they surrendered themselves to the king,
and the bishop swore that he would go out of England, and come
' This clause of the sentence is obscm-c, jirohalily imperfect; and the version
here given is conjectural.
A.D. 1091.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 137
no more into this land, unless the king sent for him, and that he
would surrender the castle at Rochester. When the bishop had
gone and was about to give up the castle, and the king had sent his
men with him, then arose the men who were within the castle, and
took the bishop and the king's men and put them into ward. Within
the castle there were some very good knights ; Eustace the young, and
the three sons of earl Roger, and all the best-born men who were
of this land or of Normandy. When the king understood this
thing, then went he after with the army that he had there, and sent
over all England, and directed that every man who was " unnithing"
should come to him, as well French as English, from town and from
upland. Much people then came to him, and he went to Ro-
chester, and surrounded the castle, until those who were within made
peace with him and surrendered the castle. The bishop Odo, as well
as the men who were within the castle, went over the sea ; and so
the bishop lost the honour that he had in this land.
The king afterwards sent an army to Durham, and caused the
castle to be besieged ; and the bishop made peace and surrendered
the castle, and gave up his bishopric, and went into Normandy.
Many Frenchmen also surrendered their lands, and went over the
sea ; and the king gave their lands to those men who were faithful
to him.
A.D. 1089. In this year the venerable father and protector of
monks, Landfranc the archbishop, departed from this life ; and we
trust that he went to the kingdom of heaven. There also happened
over all England a great earthquake, on the day of the 3d of the ides
of August [11th Aug.] ; and it was a very backward year in corn
and in fruits of all kinds, so that many men reaped their corn about
Martinmas [11th Nov.], and even later.
A.D. 1090. The thirteenth indiction. Wlien these things were
thus done as we have formerly said above, concerning the king, and
his brother, and his men, the king was deliberating how he might
avenge [himself upon] his brother Robert, trouble him most, and
win Normandy from him. And of a truth, either through his cun-
ning or his treason, he secured the castle at Valeri, and the haven,
and also he got possession of that at Albemarle, and therein he put
his knights, and they damaged the land by harrying and burning it.
After this he obtained possession of more castles within the land,
and therein he lodged his knights. Robert, the earl of Normandy,
when he understood that his sworn men had cheated him, and had
surrendered their castles to his injury, then sent he to his lord,
Philip king of the Franks, and he came to Normandy with a great
army ; and the king and the earl, with an immense force, besieged
the castle round about, within which were the men of the king of
England. William, king of England, sent to Philip king of the
French ; and he, for his love or for his great treasure, thus deserted
his homager the earl Robert, and his land, and went again to
France, and thus abandoned them. And in the meantime this
land was much ruined with unlawful tributes, and by many other
misfortunes.
A.D. 1091. Tliis year king William held his court at Christmas
138 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1091—
in Westminster; and after that, at Candlemas [2d Feb.], he went out
of England into Normandy, to the damage of his brother. During
the time he was there, their reconciliation was brought about on this
condition, that the earl should cede into his hands Fescamp, and the
earldom of Eu,and Cherbourg; and in addition to this, that the king's
men should be held blameless in the castles which they had formerly
obtained against the earl's will. And the king in return promised
him those many [castles] which their father had formerly won, and
also to reduce to subjection those which had revolted from the earl,
and all that his father had beyond these, except those which he had
then granted to the king ; and that all those who had formerly lost
their land in England on the earl's account, should have it again
through this reconciliation ; and that the earl should have in Eng-
land just as much as was included in their agreement ; and that if
the earl died without a son in lawful marriage, that the king should
be heir of all Normandy. By this same treaty [it was agreed that]
if the king should die, the earl should be heir of all England. To
this treaty swore twelve of the best men on the king's side, and
twelve on the earl's ; yet it stood but for a little while afterwards.
During this treaty was Edgar etheling deprived of the land
which the earl had formerly committed to his keeping ; and he went
out of Normandy to his brother-in-law, in Scotland, and to his
sister. During the time when the king William was out of Eng-
land, the king Malcolm went out of Scotland hither into England,
and harried over a great part of it, until the good men who had the
charge of this land sent an army against him, and drove him back.
Wlien king William, who was in Normandy, heard this, then he
prepared for his departure and came into England, and his brother,
earl Robert, with him, and he soon called out an army, both a ship
force and a land force : but the ship force, before it could come
into Scotland, miserably perished almost [entirely], a few days before
Michaelmas [29th Sept.]. And the king and his brother went with
the land force. But when king Malcolm heard that they intended
advancing against him with an army, he proceeded with his army
out of Scotland into Lothian in England, and there abode. When
king William drew near with his army, then there mediated between
them earl Robert and Edgar etheling, and so made reconciliation
between the kings ; and the king Malcolm came to our king, and
became his homager, to [do] all such obedience as his father had
formerly done, and he confirmed it with an oath ; and king William
promised him in land and all things whatever he had formerly held
under his father. At this reconciliation was Edgar etheling also
brought into unity with the king. And then the kings departed
with great unanimity ; yet it lasted but a short while. And the
carl Robert remained here well nigh unto Christmas with the king :
and during that period he found little truth in the agreement ; and
two days before that time [23d Dec] he took ship at Wight, and
went into Normandy, and Edgar etheling with him.
A.D. 1092. This year the king William with a large army went
north to Carlisle, and refortitied the town, and built the castle, and
drove out Dolphin, who formerly had possession of that land, ana
A.D. 1094.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 139
manned the castle with his own men, and afterwards returned here
south ; and he sent thither a large body of males, with women and
cattle, to dwell there for the cultivation of that land.
A.D. 1093. This year during Lent, was king WiUiam so severely
sick at Gloucester, that it was everywhere reported that he was
dead. And during his sickness he vowed many good promises to
God rightly to direct his own life, and to give peace and protection
to the churches of God, and never more to sell them for money,
and to have all righteous laws for his people. And the arch-
bishopric of Canterbury, which formerly had stood in his own
hands, he committed to Anselm, who had before been abbat at
Bee ; and to Robert, his chancellor, [he gave] the bishopric of
Lincoln ; and to many ministers he gave land (but that he after-
wards took back when he had recovered) ; and he gave up the good
laws which he had formerly promised us. Then after this the king
of Scotland sent and desired [the completion of] the treaty which
had been promised him, and the king William summoned him to
Gloucester, and sent him hostages to Scotland ; and Edgar etheling
returned, and the men who had brought him with great honour to
the king. But when he had come to the king, he could not be
considered worthy either of speech with our king, nor of the pro-
mise which had been formerly promised liim. And therefore they
parted from each other with great want of concord, and the king
Malcolm went home to Scotland. And shortly after he had come
home he gathered his army together, and went harrying into
England with greater want of wisdom than behoved him ; and
Robert, the earl of Northumberland, with his men betrayed him
unawares and slew him. Morael, of Bamborough, slew him ; he
was the earl's steward, and a fellow-sponsor along with earl
IVTalcolm. With him also was slain his son Edward, who would
have been king after him if he had lived. When the good queen
IMargaret had heard this, that her most beloved lord and son were
thus betrayed, she was oppressed on her mind almost to death.
She went with her priests to church, and performed her rites, and
prayed before God that she might give up her ghost. And the
Scots then chose Dufenal, IMelcolm's brother, for their king, and
drove out all the English who were formerly with king IMelcolm.
When Dunecan, king Melcolm's son, heard all this how it had
occurred (he was then in the court of king William, for his father
had formerly given him as a hostage to our king, and he remained
here afterwards), he came to the king, and did such fealty as the
king would have had for him ; and so with his permission he went
to Scotland, with the assistance which he might procure of
English and of French ; and he deprived his uncle Dufenal of the
kingdom, and was accepted as king. But the Scots afterwards
gathered some [troops] together, and slew nearly all his retinue ;
and he himself escaped with a few. Afterwards they were recon-
ciled, on the condition that he should never afterwards give a
settlement either to English or French in that land.
A.D. 1094. This year king William held his court at Christmas
in Gloucester, and messengers came to him thither from his brother
140 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.E. 1094.
Robert from Normandy, Nvho said tliat liis brother entirely re-
nounced peace and treaty, unless the king svould accomplish all
that they had previously agreed on in the treaty ; and thereupon he
called him forsworn and faithless, unless he would hold to the
treaty, or went thither and confessed himself where the agreement
had been formerly made and also sworn. Then went the king to
Hastings at the Candlemas [2d Feb.], and during the time that
he was waiting there for weather, he caused to be hallowed the
minster at Battle, and deprived Herbert Losinga, the bishop of
Thetford, of his staff; and after that, about Mid-lent [19th March],
he went over the sea into Normandy. After he had come thither,
he and his brother earl Robert agreed that they would come
together in peace, and so they did, that they might be reconciled.
Afterwards they came together along with the same men who had
formerly made the agreement, and they also swore oaths, and they
laid all [the blame of] breaking it upon the king ; but he would not
assent to this, nor even hold the treaty, and therefore they parted
with great dissension. And the king afterwards won the castle at
Bures, and took the earl's men therein, some of whom he sent
hither to this land. On the other hand the earl, with the aid of
the king of France, won the castle at Argentses, and captured
therein Roger of Poitou, and seven hundred of the king's knights
with him, and afterwards that at Hulme, and frequently did the one
quickly burn the towns, and also capture the men of the other.
Then sent the king hither to this land, and commanded to call out
twenty thousand Englishmen to assist him in Normandy ; but
when they came to the sea, then were they commanded to turn, and
to pay [back] to the king's behoof the fee which they had received,
which was half-a-pound to each man, and they did so. And after
this the earl, who was in Normandy, with the king of France, and
with all that they could gather together, went towards Ou, where
the king William was, and thought to besiege him therein, and so
they advanced until they came to Lungevile. Then was the king
of France turned aside through craft, and so afterwards all the
army separated. In the midst of these things king William sent
after his brother Henry, who was in the castle at Damfront ; but
because he could not go through Normandy with peace, he sent
ships after him, and Hugh, earl of Chester ; but when they should
have gone towards Ou where the king was, they went to England,
and landed at [South] Hampton on the eve of the mass of All
Saints [3 1st Oct.], and after that they abode here, and on
Christmas they were at London.
Also in this same year the Welshmen gathered themselves
together, and in conjunction with the French, who were in Wales
on the borders, and who had formerly seized their land, raised war,
and broke many fastnesses and castles, and slew men ; and after
their followers increased, they divided themselves the more. Hugh,
earl of Shropshire, fought with one part of them, and he put them
to flight. Yet this notwithstanding, the others, during the whole of
this year, ceased not from doing all the evil they could do. This
year also the Scots betrayed their king Duncan and slew him ; and
A.D. 1095.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 141
afterwards, for the second time, they took his uncle Dufenal to
their king, through whose instruction and seduction he had heen
betrayed to death.
A.D. 1095. This year king WiUiam was at Whitsand for the
first four days of Christmas, and after the fourth day he came
hither to land, and arrived at Dover. And Henry, the king's
brother, abode in this land until Lent [7th Feb.], and then went
over the sea to Normandy with much treasure, on the side of the
king, against their brother earl Robert, and frequently fought against
the earl, and did him much harm, both in land and in men. And
then at Easter [25tli March], the king held his court at Win-
chester, and the earl Robert of Northumberland would not come
to court ; and the king was exceedingly moved [with anger]
against him for this, and sent to him and commanded him with
severity, that if he wished to be at peace he would come to the
court at "Whitsuntide. In this year Easter was the 8th of the
kalends of April [25th ]\Iarch] ; and then upon Easter, on the
night of the mass of St. Ambrose, that is, the 2d of the nones of
April [4th April], there was seen over nearly all this land, and well
nigh all the night, very many stars of dilierent kinds falling from
the heavens, not by one or two, but so thickly that no man could
count them. After this, at Whitsuntide [13th May], the king was
at Windsor, and all his council with him, excepting the earl of
Northumberland, because the king would neither give him hostages,
nor promise him, upon his truth, that he might come and depart
with peace. And the king thereupon summoned his army, and
marched upon the earl into Northumberland, and as soon as he
came thither, he won many, and nearly all the best of the earl's
court within a fort, and put them in prison ; and he beseiged the
castle at Tynemouth until he won it, and the earl's brother therein,
and all those who were with him. And he afterwards went to
Bamborough, and besieged the earl therein. But when the king
perceived that he could not win it, then ordered he that a castle
should be made before Bamborough, and he called it in his tongue
" Malveisin," that is in English, " Evil neighbour : " and this he
fortified powerfully with his men, and afterwards he went south-
wards. Then soon after that the king had gone south, the earl one
night went out of Bamborough towards Tynemouth ; but they who
were within the new castle were aware of him, and went after him,
and fought with him, and wounded him, and afterwards they took
him, and of those who were with him some they slew, and some
they took alive.
In the midst of these things, it was made known to tlie king that
the Welshmen in Wales had broken into a castle called Mont-
gomery, and slain earl Hugh's men, who should have held it.
And he immediately commanded that another army should be
summoned in consequence ; and after Michaelmas [29th Sept.] he
went into Wales, and separated his army and overran all that land,
so that the whole army came together again by All Saints [1st
Nov.], at Snowdun. But the Welshmen always went before them
into mountains and moors, so that no man might get at them.
142 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 109G.
The king then returned homeward, because he saw that he could
do no more then this winter.
When the king came home again, then commanded he to take
the earl Robert of Northumberland, and lead him to Bamborough,
and put out both his eyes, unless those who were within would give
up the castle. His wife held it, and Morael who was steward, and
also his relative. Through this was the castle given up, and Morael
was then in the king's court ; and through him w^ere many both of
the clergy and also of the laity betrayed, who by their own counsels
had become faithless to the king. Some of these the king before
this time had commanded to be brought into custody; and after-
w-ards it was very strictly proclaimed over all this land, that all
those who held land of the king, in proportion as they wished to
be held as worthy of peace, should come to the court at the
[appointed] time. And the king commanded that the earl Robert
should be led to Windsor, and there kept within the castle.
Also in this same year, against Easter [25th Mai'ch], the pope's
messenger came hither to this land, namely Walter, bishop of the
city of Albano, a man of very good life; and upon Whitsunday
[13th May], he gave his pall to archbishop Anselm, on the behalf
of pope Urban, and he received him at his archiepiscopal seat at
Canterbury. And the bishop Walter remained in this land during
a considerable portion of this year; and the Rome -scot was after-
wards sent by him, which for many years had not been done.
During this same year was veiy unseasonable weather, by reason of
which over all this land the fruits of the earth were reduced below
the average.
A.D. 1096. This year king William held his court on Christmas
at Windsor; and William, bishop of Durham, died there on
New-year's day; and on the octaves of the Epiphany [13th Jan.],
the king and all his council was at Salisbury. There Geoffrey
Bainard accused William of Ou, the king's relative, that he had
been in the treachery against the king; and he fought with him
about it, and overcame him in the duel ; and after he was over-
come, the king commanded that his eyes should be put out, and
afterwards that he should be emasculated; and the king commanded
that his steward, named William, who was the son of his aunt by
the mother's side, should be hanged upon a cross. Then was also
Eoda, carl of Champagne, the king's son-in-law, and many others,
deprived of their lands ; and some were taken to London, and there
put to death. This year also, at Easter [13th April], there was a
great commotion throughout all this nation, and many other
nations, in consequence of Urban who was declared pope, though
he had nothing of a footing at Rome. And an innumerable multi-
tude of people, with their wives and children, went forth for the
purpose of making war upon the heathen nations. By means of
this expedition, the king and his brother,. carl Robert, were united;
so that the king went across the sea and pin-chased all Normandy
from him with money, as they had agreed between themselves.
And the carl afterwards departed, and with him the earl of
Flanders, and the carl of Boulogne, and also many other head
A.D. 1097.] THE ANGLO-SAXOM CHRONICLE. 143
men. And the earl Robert and they that went with him tarried
during the winter in Apuha ; but of the people who went by
Hungary, many thousands perished miserably there and by the
way; and many drew themselves home against winter, miserable
and hunger-bitten. This year was very heavy over all the kingdom
of England, as well in consequence of manifold taxes, as also by
reason of very severe hunger, which this year heavily oppressed this
earth. Also, in this year, the chief men who ruled this land fre-
quently sent armies into Wales, and thereby grievously afflicted
many men ; but there was no success therefrom, excepting the
destruction of men and the slaughter of cattle.
A.D. 1097. Tliis year was king WiUiam at Christmas in Nor-
mandy, and against Easter [5th April] he came here to this land
from thence, because he thought to hold his court at Winchester ;
but he was prevented by the weather until Easter-eve [4th April],
when he first landed at Arundel, and therefore he held his court at
Windsor. And after this he went with a great army into Wales ;
and speedily he went through the land with his army by means of
some of the Welshmen who had come to him and were his guides ;
and therein he remained from Midsummer [24th June], nearly
until August ; and he suffered much loss of men and horses, and
also of many other things. The Welshmen, after they had revolted
from the king, chose many rulers from among themselves : one of
these was named Caduugaun, who was the worthiest of them ; he
was the brother's son of king GrifHn. And when the king saw that
he could make no progress according to his own inclination, he
returned again into this land ; and speedily after that he caused
castles to be built along the marches. Then during [the festival
of] Michaelmas, upon the 4th of the nones of October [4th Oct.],
there appeared a strange star shining in the evening, and soon
hastening to its setting. It was seen in the south-west, and the
light which proceeded from it appeared very long, shining south-
east ; and it appeared on this wise nearly all the week. Many men
considered that it was a comet. Soon after this the archbishop
Anselm took leave of the king (though it was against the king's
will, as was generally thought,) and crossed the sea, because it ap-
peared to him that in this country little was done according to
justice and after his teaching. And after this the king, upon St.
Martin's mass [11th Nov.], went over the sea into Normandy;
and while he was waiting for [fair] weather, his court did, within
the shire where they lay, the greatest hai'm that ever either court
or army did, or could do, within a land which was at peace with
them. This was in all things a very heavy-timed year, and exces-
sively oppressive in consequence of the badness of the weather,
both when people wished to till the land or to gather in the tilth ;
and they never ceased from unlawful taxes. Many districts also,
of which the labour was due to London, were excessively oppressed
by reason of the wall which they built about the Tower, and of the
bridge which had nearly all been carried away by the river, and of
the working of the king's hall at Westminster ; and many men
perished by reason of these.
144 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1098—
Also in this same year, soon after Michaelmas [29th Sept.],
Edgar etheling went with an army into Scotland, by the king's
assistance, and won that land after a severe struggle, and drove out
the king Dufenal ; and his kinsman Edgar (who w-as the son of
king Malcolm and of queen Margaret) he there set up as king
in subjection to king William, and after that he returned into
England.
A.D. 1098. This year, at Christmas, was king William in
Normandy ; and Walkelin, bishop of Winchester, and Baldwin,
abbat of St. Edmund's, both departed within this period. And in
this year also, Turold, abbat of Peterborough, departed. In this
year also, during the summer, in Berkshire, at Finchamstead, a
pond flowed with blood, as many true men said who had seen it.
And earl Hugh was slain in Anglesey by foreign pirates, and his
brother Robert was his heir, as he obtained it from the king.
Before the mass of St. Michael [29th Sept.], the heaven appeared
as if it were burning all the night through. This was a very
oppressive year through manifold unlawful payments, and in con-
sequence of the great rains, which all the year through ceased not,
almost all cultivation in the marsh lands was destroyed.
A.D. 1099. This year was the king William, at Midwinter [25th
Dec], in Normandy, and at Easter [10th April] he came hither
to this land, and at Whitsuntide [29th INIay] for the first time he
held his court within his new building at Westminster ; and there
he gave to Ranulf, his chaplain, the bishopric of Durham, who had
hitherto guided and guarded all his counsel over all England. Soon
after this he went over the sea, and drove the earl Elias out of the
[province of] Maine, and afterwards brought it under his power ;
and so he returned hither to this land at Michaelmas [29th Sept.].
This year also, on the mass day of St. Martin [11th Nov.], the
flood of the sea advanced so high and did so much harm, as no
man could remember that it ever had done before ; and the new
moon was on this same day. And Osmond, bishop of Salisbury,
departed in Advent.
A.D. 1100. In this year the king William held his court on
Christmas at Gloucester, and on Easter [1st April] at Winchester,
and on Whitsunday [22d May] at Westminster. And at Whit-
sunday [22d May] there was seen in Berkshire, at a certain town,
blood welling from the earth, as many said who had seen it. And
after this, on the morning after Lammas-day [1st Aug.] king
William was shot, when hunting, by one of his own men with an
arrow, and afterwards brought to Winchester, and there buried in
the cathedral: this was in the thirteenth year after he had taken the
sovereignty. He was very hard and harsh over his land and his
men, and with all his neighbours, and much to be dreaded ; and
by reason of the counsels of evil men (which were ever pleasing to
him), and through his own covetousness, he was constantly irri-
tating the people with his army and with exactions. Therefore,
during his days, all right sank, and every unright, both in respect
to God and to the world, was elevated. God's churches he
humbled, and the bishoprics and abbacies, whose rulers died in his
A.D. 1101.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 145
days, all these he either sold for money, or held in his own hand,
and let them out at a rent ; because he desired to be the heir of
every man, both the clergy and the laity. Thus in the day on
which he fell, he had in his own hand the archbishopric of Canter-
bury, and the bishopric of Winchester, and that of Salisbury, and
eleven abbacies, all of which were let out to farm. And (though
I may be long in my narrative) all this was hateful to God and to
righteous men, and yet all this was common in this land during
his time ; and in consequence of this he was hateful to nearly all
his people and an adversaiy to God, as his end shows, for he
departed in the midst of his unrighteousness, without repentance
and satisfaction of any kind. He was slain on the Thursday, and
on the morning aftei-w^ards he was buried. And after he was
buried, the council and they who were nigh at hand, chose his
brother Henry as king. And there forthwith he gave the bishopric
of Winchester to William Gilford, and after that he went to
London ; and on the Sunday thereafter he promised to God and
all the people, before the altar at Westminster, that he would put
down all the things contrary to right W'hich had prevailed in his
brother's time, and that he would hold the best laws wdiich had
prevailed in any king's days before his time. And immediately
after this Maurice, the bishop of London, hallowed him as king,
and all in this land submitted to him, and swore oaths to him, and
became his vassals. And soon after this, by the advice of the men
who were about him, the king caused Ranulph, bishop of Durham,
to be taken, and to be brought into the Tower of London, and
there kept in ward. Then before Michaelmas [29th Sept.] came
Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, here to this land, as king
Henry, by the advice of his council, had sent after him, because
he had gone out of this land in consequence of the great wrongs
which king William had done unto him. And soon hereafter the
king took Mahald to wife, the daughter of Malcolm, king of
Scotland, and of Margaret the good queen, the kinswoman of king
Edward, and of the true royal race of England. And on the mass-
day of St. Martin [11th Nov.] she was given to him with great
honour at Westminster, and archbishop Anselm wedded her to
him, and after that consecrated her as queen. And the archbishop
Thomas, of York, died soon after this. Also in this same year,
during autumn, came the earl Robert home into Normandy, and
the earl Robert of Flanders, and Eustace, earl of Boulogne, from
Jerusalem ; and as soon as the earl Robert came into Normandy,
he was blithely received by all the people, excepting the castles,
which were garrisoned with the men of king Henry, against whom
he had many a struggle and contest.
A.D. 1101. This year at Christmas king Henry held his court
at Westminster, and on Easter [21st April] at Winchester. And
soon after this, the head men here of this land entered into evil
counsel against the king, as well for their own great untruthfulness
as also through Robert, earl of Normandy, who came here to this
land in an hostile manner. And the king aftei-wards sent ships
out to sea, to damage his brother and for his hindrance ; but some
VOL. IL L
146 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1102—
of these afterwards proved themselves cowards at the time of need,
and turned from the king, and betook themselves to the earl Robert.
Then at Midsummer [24th June], went the king out to Pcvenscy,
with all his army, against his brotlier, and there waited for him : but
in the midst of this the earl Robert landed at Portsmouth, twelve
days before Lammas [21st July], and the king went against him
with all his army. But the head men meditated between them ;
and the brothers were reconciled, upon the understanding that the
king should resign all that he held with strength in Normandy
against the earl ; and that all those who were in England should
have their lands again who had formerly lost them through the earl ;
and that earl Eustace should also have all his hereditary land here
in this country ; and that the earl Robert every year should have
from England three thousand marks of silver ; and (mark this !)
whichever of the brothers should survive the other, he should be heir
of all England, and also of Normandy, unless the deceased should
have an heir by lawful marriage. And the twelve men who were
the highest on either side confirmed this with an oath ; and the earl
afterwards dwelt in this land until after Michaelmas [29th Sept.],
and his men constantly did much harm wherever they went, the
while that the earl continued here in this land. Also, during this
year the bishop Ranulf, at Candlemas [2d Feb.], escaped by night
out of the Tower of London, where he was in custody ; and he went
to Normandy. It was chiefly through his instrumentality and
inducement, that the earl Robert had this year sought this land
in enmity.
A.D. 1 102. This year, at the Nativity [25th Dec], was the king
Henry at Westminster, and at Easter [6th April] at Winchester.
And soon thereafter there was a disagreement between the king and
the earl Robert of Belesme, who held the earldom of Shrewsbury
here in this land, which his father, Roger the earl, formerly pos-
sessed, and a great dominion in addition, both on this side of the
sea and beyond it. And the king went and besieged the castle at
Arundel ; but when he could not win it so speedily, he caused
castles to be made before it, and furnished them with his men ; and
afterwards with all his army he went to Bridgenorth, and there
resided until he had the castle ; and he stripped the earl Robert of
his land, and deprived him of all that he had in England : and thus
the earl departed over the sea, and the army afterwards turned
homewards. Then after this was the king at Westminster, on
Michaelmas [29th Sept.], and all the chief men of this land, clergy
and laity. And the archbishop Ansclm held a synod of clergy ; and
there they fixed manv rules which have reference to the Christian
faith; and many, both'French and English, theie lost their [pastoral]
staves and jurisdictions which they had obtained with unright, or
on which they were living with wrong. And on tliis same year, on
the mass-week of Whitsunday [25th June — 2d July], there came
thieves, some from Auvergne, some from France, and some from
Flanders, and broke into the minster of Peterborough, and therein
took much property in gold and in silver, namely, roods, and
chalices, and candlesticks.
A.D. 1105.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 147
A.D. 1103. In this year, at Midwinter [25th Dec], was king
Henry at Westminster ; and thereafter soon departed bishop WilHam
Giffard out of this land, because he would not, against right, accept
his ordination from the archbishop Gerard of York. And then at
Easter [29th March], the king held his court at Winchester; and
after this Anselm, the archbishop of Canterbury, went to Rome, as
had been [agreed between] him and the king. In this year, also,
came the earl Robert of Normandy to speak with the king here in this
land ; and before he departed hence, he released the three thousand
marks, which king Henry was bound by agreement to pay him each
year. In this year also, at Hamstead in Berkshire, blood was seen
[to spring] from the earth. This was a very oppressive year in this
land, through manifold taxes, and through the death of cattle, and
the destruction of produce, not only in corn but also in all kind of
tree-fruit. Also in the morning upon the mass-day of St. Lawrence
[14th Nov.], the wind did so much harm here in this land to all
fruits as that no man could remember that ever any did before. In
this same year Matthias, abbat of Peterborough, died, who lived no
longer than one year after he became abbat. After Michaelmas, on
the 12th of the kalends of November [21st Oct.] he was received
as abbat in procession ; and on the same day of the following yeai
he died at Gloucester, and there was buried.
A.D. 1104. In this year, at Christmas [25th Dec], king Henry
held his court at Westminster, and on Easter [17th April] at Win-
chester, and on Whitsuntide [5th June] again at Westminster.
On this year was the first day of Whitsuntide on the nones of June
[5th June] ; and on the Tuesday [7th June] after this, there appeared
four circles at mid-day about the sun, of a white hue, each arranged
under the other, as if they had been measured. All who saw it
wondered, because they never remembered any such like before.
After this there was a reconciliation between the earl Robert of
Normandy and Robert de Belesme, whom king Henry had formerly
deprived of his land and driven from England ; and through their
reconciliation the king of England and the earl of Normandy became
enemies. And the king of England sent his people over the sea
into Normandy, and the chief men in that land received them ; and
in their treachery to their lord the earl, they lodged them in their
castles, whence they did many injuries to the earl by their hanyings
and burnings. Also in this year William, earl of Moreton, went
hence from this land into Normandy ; but after he had gone, he
wrought against the king, in consequence of which the king stripped
him of all he had, and took his land from him which he had here
in this country. It is not easy to describe the miseries of this land,
which, at this time, it was suffering through numerous and mani-
fold wrongs and taxes, which never ceased nor were mitigated ; and
wherever the king went there was full harrying by his court upon
his wretched people ; and in the midst of these there occurred fre-
quently burnings and manslaughters. All this was enough to anger
God, and to oppress this miserable nation.
A.D. 1105. This year, on the Nativity [25th Dec], king Henry
held his court at Windsor ; and after this, during Lent, he went
L 2
148 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1106—
over the sea into Normandy, against his brother, earl Robert. And
during the time he tarried there, he won from his brother Caen and
Baieux ; and almost all the castles and the chief men on that land
were reduced under him ; and in the autumn he returned here to
this land. And what he had won in Normandy aftenvards con-
tinued in peace and in subjection to himself, excepting those who
dwelt anywhere near the earl William of Moreton ; those he con-
tinually harassed to the utmost of his power, for the land which he
had lost here in this country. And then before Christmas [25th Dec]
came Robert de Belesme here to this land to the king. This was a
very oppressive year in this country, through the destruction of the
produce, and through manifold exactions, which never ceased, as
well before the king crossed over [into Normandy], as while he was
there, and after he returned thence.
A.D. 1106. This year was the king Henry at the Nativity [25th
Dec] at Westminster, and there he held his court ; and at that
time Robert de Belesme went in unfriendly manner from the king
out of this land into Normandy. After this, before Lent [lOtli
Feb.], was the king at Northampton, and the earl Robert, his
brother, came thither to him from Normandy, and because the
king would not give him that which he had taken from him in
Normandy, they parted from each other in ill will, and the earl
went over the sea soon again. On the Friday in the first week in
Lent, on the 14th of the kalends of March [16th Feb.], in the
evening, appeared a remarkable star, and for a long time thereafter
it was seen during eveiy evening shining for a while. The star
appeared in the south-west; it seemed little and obscure, but the
light which proceeded from it was very bright, and appeared like an
immense beam shining north-east; and some evenings it appeared
as if the beam was moving backwards in a direction opposite to the
star. Some people said that at this time they saw more unknown
stars ; but we do not write about it more openly because that we
ourselves did not see it. On the night on the morrow of which
was the Lord's Supper, that is, on the Thursday before Easter [2 2d
March], two moons were seen in the heavens before the day, the
one in the east and the other in the west, both full; and this same
day was the fourteenth of the moon. At Easter [25th March],
the king was at Bath, and on Whitsunday [13th May], at Salisbury,
because he would not hold his court when he was preparing to
cross the sea. After this, before August, the king went over the
sea into Normandy; and nearly all they who were in that land
bent to his will, excepting Robert de Belesme and the earl of
Moreton, and a few others of the chief men, wlio still held with
the earl of Normandy. In consequence of this the king went
afterwards with an army, and beset a castle of the earl of Moreton,
called Tunercebrai. While the king beset the castle, the earl
Robert of Normandy came upon the king with his army, on the
eve of the mass of St. Michael [28th Sept.], and with him were
Robert de Belesme, and William, earl of Moreton, and all those
who would go with them; but the strength and the victory were the
king's. Then was the earl of Normandy captured, and the earl of
A.D. 1109.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 149
Moreton, and Robert de Stulteville, and afterwards sent to Eng-
land, and brought into confinenent. Robert de Belesme was there
banished, and WiUiam Crispin taken, and many with him. Eadgar,
etheling, who a httle while before had gone from the king to the
earl, was also captured there, whom the king afterwards let go free.
Then the king passed over all that was in Normandy, and placed it
according to his will and in his power.
In this year also there were very heavy and continual struggles
between the emperor of Saxony and his son ; and in the midst of
these conflicts the father died, and the son succeeded to the empire.
A.D. 1107. In Christmas, in this year, king Henry was in
Normandy, and he arranged and settled that land according to his
power ; and after Lent he came here to this land, and on Easter
[18th April], he held his court at Windsor, and at Whitsunday
[2d June], at Westminster. And afterwards, in the beginning of
August, he was again at Westminster ; and there he gave and
settled the bishoprics and abbacies as well in England as in Nor-
mandy, without [consulting] his nobles and his court. Of these
there were so many that there was no man who remembered that
ever before so many were given away at one time. And at the
same time, among the others who received abbacies, Ernulf (who
before had been prior of Canterbury) succeeded to the abbacy of
Peterborough. This was exactly about seven years after king Henry
had accepted the kingdom, and it was the one-and-fortieth year
since the French gained possession of this land. Many said that
they saw various tokens in the moon this year, and its light increas-
ing and decreasing against nature. In this year died Maurice,
bishop of London, and Robert, abbat of St. Edmundsbury, and
Richard, abbat of Ely. In this year also departed the king Edgar
in Scotland, on the ides of January [13th Jan.], and Alexander
his brother succeeded to the kingdom, as this king Henry gave him
permission.
A.D. 1108. In this year was the king Henry on the Nativity
at Westminster, and on Easter [5th April] at Winchester, and
at Pentecost [24th May] again at Westminster ; and after this,
before August, he went into Normandy. And Philip, the king of
France, died upon the nones of August [5th Aug.], and his son
Louis succeeded to the kingdom. And there were after this many
conflicts between the king of France and the king of England, while
he [Henry] continued in Normandy. In this year also departed
the archbishop Girard of York, before Pentecost [24th May], and
Thomas was afterwards appointed thereto.
A.D. 1109. This year was the king Heniy at Christmas and at
Easter [25th April] in Normandy ; and before Whitsuntide [13th
June] he came hither to this land and held his court at West-
minster. There were accomplished the conditions and the oaths
were sworn for the giving of his daughter to the emperor. In this
year were very many thunder-storms, and these were very awful
ones ; and the archbishop Anselm of Canterbury departed on the
eleventh of the kalends of April [22d March] ; and the first day of
Easter [26th April] was on Litania Major.
150 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1110—
A.D. 1110. In this year the king Henry held his court on
Christmas at Westminster, and on Easter [10th April] he was at
Marlborough, and at Pentecost [29th May], for the first time,
he held his court at the New Windsor. In this year, the king sent
his daughter, before Lent [23d Feb.], with manifold treasures over
the sea, and gave her to the emperor. On the fifth night in the
month of May, the moon appeared in the evening, shining brightly,
and afterwards by little and little its light waned ; so that early in the
night it was so entirely extinguished that neither light, nor circle, nor
anything at all of it was visible, and so it continued almost until
day, and then it appeared shining full and bright. On this same
day it was fourteen days old. During all the night the sky was very
clear, and the stars were shining very bright over all the heavens,
and the fruits of the trees were very much destroyed this night by
the frost. Afterwards, in the month of June, there appeared a star
in the north-east, and its light proceeded before it towards the
south-west. Thus was it seen for many nights; and later in the
night, after it had risen higher, it was seen going backwards towards
the north-west. In this year, Philip de Brause, and William Mallet,
and William Bainard, were deprived of their lands. In this year
also died earl Elias, he who held Maine of the king Henry in
fee-tail;^ and after his death the earl of Anjou succeeded to it, and
held it against the king. This was a very oppressive year in con-
sequence of the tax which the king took for his daughter's portion,
and through unseasonable weather, in consequence of which the
fruits of the earth were much destroyed, and the fruits of the trees
almost all perished over this land. And this year the works were
first begun at the new minster at Chertsey.
A.D. 1111, This year king Henry did not wear his crown at
Christmas, nor on Easter [2d April], nor on Pentecost [21st May];
and in August he went over the sea into Normandy in consequence
of the disagreement which some had with him concerning the
boundaries of France ; and more particularly on account of the earl
of Anjou, who held Maine against him : and after he came over
thither, they mutually perpetrated many evil counsels and burnings
on each other. In this year also died the carl Robert of Flanders,
and his son Baldwin succeeded thereto. In this year the winter
was very long, and it was a heavy and a severe time; and the fruits
of the earth were in consequence much damaged; and there arose
the greatest murrain of cattle that any man could remember.
A.D. 1112. King Henry remained all this year in Normandy in
consequence of the feud which he had with France, and with the
earl of Anjou, who held Maine against him. And while he was
there he deprived of their lands the carl of Evreux, and William
Crispin, and drove them out of Normandy ; and he gave his land
to Philip de Braus, whom he had previously deprived of his land;
and he caused Robert de Belesme to be seized and put into prison.
' The rendering here adopted ia that of Ingram, which is allowed to stand,
although Tinsatiafactorj', no better explanation having as yet occurred. Gibson
conjectures that the text is faulty, and candidly owns his inability to explain
the term in (juestiou.
A.D. 1115.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 151
This was a veiy good year, and very productive in wood and in
tield ; but it was a very heavy time and sorrowful, in consequence
of an excessive pestilence among men.
A.D. 1113. This year king Henry was in Normandy at the
Nativity, and Easter [6th April], and Pentecost [25th May]; and
after that, in the summer, he sent to this land Robert de Belesme,
to the castle at Wareham; and soon afterwards he himself came
hither to this land.
A.D. 1114. This year king Heniy held his court during the
Nativity at Windsor, and during this year he afterwards held no
court. And at Midsummer [24th June], he went with an army
into Wales; and the Welsh came and made peace with the king;
and he caused that castles should be built therein. And after this,
during the month of September, he went over the sea into Nor-
mandy. This year, towards the end of May, a wonderful star was
seen, having long rays, shining many nights. Also, this same year,
there was so great an ebb everywhere on one day, such as no man
remembered heretofore; so much so that people passed, on horse-
back and foot, over the Thames, to the east of the bridge of
London. This year there were very great winds in the month of
October, but it was exceedingly high on the night of the octave of
St. Martin [18th Nov.]; and that was everywhere exhibited both
in wood and in town. Also, in this year, the king gave the arch-
bishopric of Canterbury to Ralph, who was before bishop of
Rochester; and Thomas, archbishop of York, died, and Thurstan
succeeded thereto, who had before been the king's chaplain. At
this same time the king went towards the sea, and wished to pass
over, but the weather hindered him; but during the while he sent
his writ to the abbat Ernulf of Peterborough, and commanded
that he should come to him speedily, because he wished to speak
to him privately. When he came to him he constrained him to
accept tlie bishopric of Rochester: and the archbishops and the
bishops and nobility who were in England agreed with the king :
and he for a long time refused, but it did not long continue. And
the king commanded the archbishop to conduct him to Canterbuiy,
and consecrate him bishop, whether he would or no. This was
done in the town called Burne, on the l7th day of the kalends of
October [14th Sept.]. When the monks of Peterborough heard
this said, then were they so sorry as they never had been before,
because he was a very good man and gentle, and did much good
within and without while he resided there. May Almighty God
ever dwell with him. Soon after this the king gave the abbacy to
a monk of Sieyes, called John, at the request of the archbisliop of
Canterbury. And soon after this the king sent him and the arch-
bishop of Canterbury to Rome, after tlie archbishop's pall; and
there was with him a monk also, whose name was Warner, and the
archdeacon John, the archbishop's nephew. And there they suc-
ceeded well. This was done on the 12tli day of the kalends of
October [20th Sept.], in the town called Rugenore; and on the
same day the king went on ship -board at Portsmouth.
A.D. 1115. This year, at the Nativity, king Henry was in
152 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. IIIC—
Normandy, and during the time he was there he caused that all
the chief men in Normandy should make submission and swear
oaths to his son William, whom he had by his queen. And after
this, in the month of July, he came again into this land. This year
was the winter so severe with snow and with frost that no man
who was then alive ever remembered one more severe previously,
and in consequence there was an immense pestilence of cattle.
This year pope Paschalis sent to this land the pall to Ralph, arch-
bishop of Canterbury; and he received it with great worship at his
archiepiscopal see at Canterbury. Abbat Anselm brought it hither
from Rome; (he was the nephew of archbishop Anselm ;) and the
abbat John of Peterborough.
A.D. 1116. This year king Henr)^ was at St.Alban's at the Nativity,
and there he caused that minster to be consecrated; and at
Easter [2d April], he was at Odiham. And there was also this
year a very heavy-timed winter, and strong and long, for cattle,
and eveiything. And soon after Easter the king went over sea
into Normandy; and there arose many plots and robberies, and
castles were taken between France and Normandy. Most of this
discord was because king Henry aided his nephew, the earl Theod-
bald of Blois, who was then waging war against his lord Louis, king
of France. This was a very oppressive and destructive year upon
the fruits of the earth, through the excessive rains which came
down before August, and they exceedingly grieved and oppressed
[people] until Candlemas came. In this year, also, there was such
a failure in mast as men had never heard tell of in all this land
nor in Wales. This land and people were also this year frequently
and sorely oppressed through the taxes which the king took, as well
within towns as without. In this same year all the minster of
Peterborough was burnt, and all the houses, excepting the chapter-
house and the dormitory ; and together with them all the greater
part of the town was burnt. All this happened on a Friday, which
was the 2d of the nones of August [4th Aug.].
A.D. 1117. During all this year king Henry remained in Nor-
mandy, in consequence of the hostility of the king of France and his
other neighbours. And then, towards the summer, came the king of
France and the earl of Flanders with him, with an army into Nor-
mandy. And they remained one night therein, and in the morning,
without having fought, they again departed. And Normandy was
very rriuch oppressed as well through taxes as the army which king
Henry gathered there against [liis enemies]. This nation was also
strongly oppressed through this same thing, namely, through mani-
fold exactions. In this year also, on the night of the kalends of
December [1st Dec], were excessive storms, together with thunder
and lightning, and rain, and hail. And in the night of the third of
the ides of December [11th Dec], the moon became, during a
long period of the night, as if it were all bloody, and afterwards it
became obscured. Also on the night of the 17th of the kalends of
Januaiy [16th Dec], the heaven appeared very red, as if it were
burnt. And on the octave of St. John the Evangelist [1st July],
was a great earthquake in Lombardy ; in consequence of which
A.D. 1119.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 153
many minsters and towns and houses fell, and did much harm to
men. This was a veiy ruinous year for corn, through the rains,
which ceased not nearly the whole year. And the abbat Gilbert of
Westminster died on the 8th of the ides of December [8th Dec],
and Faricius, abbot of Abingdon, on the 7th of the kalends of
March [23d Feb.] ; and in this same year
A.D. 1118. All this year king Heniy remained in Normandy in
consequence of the hostility of the king of France, and of the earl
of Anjou, and of the earl of Flanders. And the earl of Flanders
was wounded in Normandy, and being so wounded he went into
Flanders. The king was much oppressed in consequence of this
war, and he lost much, both in money and in land ; and most of
all his own men oppressed him, who frequently turned from him
and betrayed him, and turned to his enemies ; and to the injury of
the king, and in treachery towards him, ihey surrendered their
castles. England dearly bought all this in consequence of the
manifold taxes, which ceased not all this year. On this year,
during the week of the Epiphany, one evening, there w^as much
lightning and immediate thunder after it. And the queen Matilda
died at Westminster on the kalends of May [1st May], and there
she was buried ; and the earl Robert of Mellent died also this year.
Also this year, on St. Thomas's mass [21st Dec], there was a great
wind, so exceedingly violent, as that no man then living could
remember a greater, and that was everywhere seen, as well in
houses as also in trees. This year also departed pope Paschalis ;
and John of Gaeta, whose other name was Gelasius, succeeded to
the popedom.
A.D. 1119. During all this year king Henry remained in Nor-
mandy, and he was exceedingly distressed by the hostility of the
king of France, and also of his own men, who departed from him
with treachery, and frequently turned from him, until the two
kings met together in Normandy with their forces. There was the
king of France put to flight, and all his best men taken ; and after-
wards many of the men of king Henry submitted to him and
accorded with him, who had previously been against him, along
with their castles, and some of these castles he took by assault.
This year William, the son of king Henry and queen Matilda, went
into Normandy to his father ; and then there was given to him and
wedded to wife the daughter of the earl of Anjou. On Michaelmas-
eve [28th Sept.], there was a great earthquake in some places here
in this land, though chiefly in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.
In this same year died the pope Gelasius, on this side of the
mountains [the Alps], and he was buried at Cluny, and after him
the archbishop of Vienne was chosen pope, whose name was Cal-
listus. Afterwards at the festival of St. Luke the Evangelist [18th
Oct.], he came into France to Rheims, and there held a council;
and the archbishop Thurstan of York went thither, and the king
forbade him any return whatever into England, because that he,
contrary to justice,- and against the archiepiscopal see of Canter-
bury, and against the king's will, had accepted his dignity from the
pope ; and thus he was deprived of his archbishopric, and went
154 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1120—
towards Rome with tlie pope. Also in this year the earl Baldwin
of Flanders died of the wounds which he had received in Nor-
mandy, and after him Charles, the son of his paternal uncle, (who
was the son of Cnute, the holy king of Denmark,) succeeded to the
earldom.
A.D. 1120. This year the king of England and the king of
France were reconciled ; and after this reconciliation all king
Henry's own men accorded with him in Normandy, as also the
earl of Flanders and the earl of Ponthieu. After this time the
king Henry settled his castles and his land in Normandy after his
own will ; and thus before Advent [28th Nov.], he came hither to
this land. And in the passage there were drowned William and
Richard, the king's two sons, and Richard earl of Chester, and
Ottuel, his brother, and very many of the king's court, stewards,
and chamberlains, and butlers, and men of diftercnt offices, and an
innumerable number of common people besides. The death of
these people was in a twofold respect painful to their friends ; one
was that they so suddenly lost this life, the other was that so few
of their bodies were found anj'where afterwards. This year the
light came twice to the sepulchre of the Lord in Jerusalem ; once
at Easter [18th April], and the second time at the Assumption of
St. Mary [15th Aug.], as credible persons said who came from
thence. And the archbishop Thurstan of York was accorded with
the king through the pope, and came hither to this land, and
received his bishopric, although this was much against the will of
the archbishop of Canterbury.
A.D. 1121. This year at Christmas king Henry was at Bramp-
ton; and after this, before Candlemass [2d Feb.], at Windsor,
there was given to him as his wife Athelis, and she was afterwards
consecrated queen ; she was the daughter of the duke of Louvain.
And the moon was eclipsed on the night of the nones of April [5th
April], being in her fourteenth day. And at Easter [10th April],
the king was at Berkley ; and after that, at Pentecost [29th May],
he held a great court at Westminster, and afterwards, during the
summer, he went with an army into Wales. And the Welsh came
against him, and they came to an agreement with the king accord-
ing to his will. This year the earl of Anjou came from Jerusalem
into his own land, and afterwards he sent hither to this land and
caused his daughter to be brought, who had previously been given
to wife to William the king's son. And on the night of the vigil
of the Natalis Domini [24th Dec], there was a very great wind
over all this land, and that was in many things evidently seen.
A.D. 1122. This year king Henr)^ at Christmas, was at Nor-
wich, and at Easter [2Gth March], he was at Northampton. 'And
on the Lenten-tide before that the town of Gloucester was burnt
during the time the monks were singing the mass, and the deacon
had begun the Gospel " Praeteriens Jesus" ^ just as the fire came
* The whole of this narrative, respecting the conflagration at Gloucester, i.s an
addition by a different hand.
^ Thia is the Gospel for the Wednesday in the fourth week in Lent, which, in
the year 1122, would fall on March 8.
A.D. 1123.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 155
from the upper part of the steeple ; and it entirely hurnt the whole
of the minster, and all the treasures which were there within it,
excepting a few books and three mass vestments. This was on the
8th of the ides of March [8th March]. And after this, on the
Tuesday after Palm Sunday [21st March], there was a very great
wind on the 11th [12th] of the kalends of April; thereafter came
many tokens wide over England, and many prodigies were both
seen and heard. And on the night of the 13th of the kalends of
August [25th July], there was a very great earthquake over all
Somersetshire and in Gloucestershire. After this, on the 6th of
the ides of September [8th Sept.], which was on the mass-day of
[the Nativity of] St. Mary, there was a very great wind from the
morning of the day until the black night. This same year died
Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury; that was on the 13th of the
kalends of November [20th Oct.]. After this were many ship-
raen at sea and on the water ; and they said that they saw on the
north-east along the earth a great and broad fire, and it increased
speedily upwards in extent towards the sky, and the sky opened
itself in four parts and fought there against it, as if it would
extinguish it ; but, nevertheless, the fire extended up to the
heaven. They saw that fire in the dawn of the day, and it con-
tinued until it was quite light. This was on the 7th of the ides
of December [7th Dec.].
A.D. 1123. This year at Christmas king Henry was at Dun-
stable, and there came to him the ambassadors of the earl of
Anjou. From thence he went to Woodstock, and his bishops and
his whole court with him. Then happened it on a "Wednesday,
which was on the fourth of the ides of Januaiy [10th Jan.], that the
king was riding in his deer-fold, and the bishop Roger of Salisbury
was on one side of him, and Roger Bloet, bishop of Lincoln, on
the other side of him, and they rode there in conversation. Then
fell down the bishop of Lincoln, and said, " Lord king, I am
dying ;" and the king alighted down from his horse and raised him
up in his arms, and caused that he should be carried home to his
residence, and there he soon died ; and they carried him to
Lincoln with great honour, and buried him before the altar of St.
Mary ; and the bishop of Chester, whose name was Robert
Pecceth, buried him. Soon after this the king sent his writ over
all England, and summoned all his bishops, and his abbots, and
his thanes to come to his witena-gemot on Candlemas-day [2d
Feb.], to meet him at Gloucester, and they did so. \A^hen they
were there gathered, then the king enjoined them to choose for
themselves an archbishop of Canterbury, whomsoever they would,
and that he would grant them this. Then the bishops spoke among
themselves and said that never more would they have a man from
the monastic order as an archbishop over them ; and they went all
together to the king and entreated him that they might choose from
the clerical order whomsoever they would for archbishop ; an«l the
king granted them this. All this had been done beforehand by the
bishop of Salisbury, and by the bishop of Lincoln before he died ;
because they never had loved the rule of monks, but always were
156 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1123—
opposed to the monks and tlieir rule. And tlie prior and the
monks of Canterbury, and all the others of the monastic order
who were there, opposed it for full two days, but it prevailed
nothing ; for the bishop of Salisbury was strong and ruled all
England, and was opposed to them in evcr}thing that he might
and could. Then they chose a clerk named William, of Curboil ;
he was canon of a minster named Chiche, and they brought him
before the king, and the king gave him the archbishopric, and all
the bishops received him ; but almost all the monks, and the earls,
and the tlianes, who were there, refused to accept him.
At this same time departed the messengers of the earl [of
Anjou] from the king in hostile manner, caring nothing for his
goodwill. At that same time a legate came from Rome, named
Henry ; he was the abbat of St. John's minster of Angelo, and he
came after the Rome-scot. And he told the king that it was con-
trary to riglit that a clerk should be set over monks ; and as they
had before chosen an archbishop in their chapter according to
right [so should they do again] ; but the king would not set it
aside, for the love of the bishop of Salisbuiy. Then went the
archbishop soon after this to Canterbury, and there he was re-
ceived, though it was against their will, and there was he soon con-
secrated as bishop by the bishop of London, and bishop Ernulf of
Rochester, and bishop William Giffard of Winchester, and bishop
Bernard of Wales [St. David's], and bishop Roger of Salisbury.
Then soon in the Lent the archbishop went to Rome after his pall,
and with him went the bishop Bernard of Wales [St. David's], and
Sefred, abbat of Glastonbury, and Anselra, abbat of St. Edmund's,
and John, archdeacon of Canterbury, and Girard, who was the
clerk of the king's court. At that same time the archbishop of
York, Thurstan, went to Rome by the pope's commandment, and
he arrived there three days before the archbishop of Canterbury
came, and he was there received with great worship. Then came
the archbishop of Canterbury, and was there full seven days before
he could come into the pope's presence ; and that was because the
pope had been given to understand that he had accepted the arch-
bishopric against the monks of the minster, and against right.
But that which overcometh all the world overcame Rome, and
that is, gold and silver, and the pope relented and gave him his
pall. And the archbishop swore subjection to him in all those
matters which the pope laid on him by the heads of St. Peter and
St. Paul, and the pope sent him home with his blessing. While
the archbishop was out of the land the king gave the bishopric
of Bath to the queen's chancellor, named Godefrcith ; he was born
in Louvain ; and that was on the day of the Annunciation of St.
Mary [25th March], at Woodstock, Soon after this the king went
to Winchester, and was there all the Easter-tide [15th April], and
while he was there he gave the bishopric of Lincoln to a clerk
named Alexander ; he was the nephew of the bishop of Salisbun'.
This he did entirely for the love of the bishop. Then went the
king thence to Portsmouth, and lay there quite past the week of
Whitsuntide [3d June] ; and then, as soon as he had a [fair] wind
A.D. 1124.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 157
he went over into Normandy, and then he committed all England
to Roger, bishop of Salisbury, to keep and rule. Then was the
king all this year in Normandy, and then great discord grew
between him and his thanes, so that the earl Walaram of Mellent,
and Almari, and Hugh of Montfort, and William of Romare, and
many others went from him, and held their castles against him.
And the king held strongly against them, and the same year he won
from Walaram the castle of Pont Audemer and of Hugh Montfort ;
and after this he sped the longer the better. This same year,
before the bishop of Lincoln came to his bishopric, nearly all the
city of Lincoln was burnt, and an innumerable number of people
were consumed, men and women ; and so much harm was there
done that no man could know it, or recount it. And that was on
the 14th of the kalends of June [19th May].
A.D. 1124. All this year the king Henry was in Normandy,
and that was in consequence of the great discord that he had with
king Louis of France, and with the earl of Anjou, and most of all
with his own men. Then it came to pass on the day of the
Annunciation of St. Mary [25th March], that the earl Waleram of
Mellent went from his own castle called Belmont to Watteville,
another castle of his. With him went Almari, the steward of the
king of France, and Hugh the son of Gervase, and Hugh of
Montfort, and many other good knights. Then came against
them the king's knights from all the castles that were thereabouts,
and fought with them, and put them to flight ; and they took the
earl Waleram, and Hugh the son of Gervaise, and Hugh of Mont-
fort, and twenty other knights, and they brought them to the king;
and the king caused the earl Waleram and Hugh the son of
Gervaise to be put into custody in the castle of Rouen, and
Hugh of Montfort he sent to England, and caused him to be
put in evil bonds in the castle of Gloucester ; and of the others, as
many as he thought good he sent in custody north and south to his
castles. After this the king went and won all the castles of the
earl Waleram that were in Normandy, and all the others which his
enemies held against him. All this enmity was on account of
William, the son of earl Robert of Normandy. The same William
had taken to wife the younger daughter of Fulco, earl of Anjou,
and therefore the king of France and all the earls held with him,
and all the noblemen ; and they said that the king kept his brother
Robert in captivity wrongfully, and unjustly banished his son
William out of Normandy.
In this same year there were many unpropitious seasons in England
with respect to corn and all produce, so that between Christmas
and Candlemas [2d Feb.], the seed-wheat sufficient for sowing an
acre (namely, two seed-lips) was sold for six shillings ; and the
barley, that is three seed -lips, for six shillings, and the seed for an
acre of oats for four shillings. That was because there was little
corn, and the penny was so bad that the men who had at market
a pound could not on any consideration procure for it in exchange
twelvepence.
This same year died the blessed bishop Earnulf, ot Rochester
158 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1125—
(who before had l^een abbot of Peterborough), and that was on the
ides of March [15th March]. And after this died the king
Alexander of Scotland, on the 9th of the kalends of May [23d
April] ; and his brother David, who was earl of Northamptonshire,
succeeded to the kingdom, and then he had at the same time both
the kingdom of Scotland and this earldom in England. And
on the 19th of the kalends of January [14th Dec], died the
pope of Rome, named Calistus, and Honorius succeeded to the
popedom.
In this same year, after St. Andrew's-mass [30th Nov.] and
before Christmas, Ralph Basset and the king's thanes held a
witena-gemot in Leicestershire, at Hundhoge, and there they
hanged so many thieves as never more had been hanged before ; so
that in a little while there were as many as four-and-forty, and six
men w^ere deprived of their eyes and emasculated. Many credible
men said that many of these were punished with great injustice ;
but our Lord God Almighty, who seeth and knoweth every hidden
thing. He seeth that this wretched people is oppressed with all
unrighteousness. In the first place they are plundered of their
property, and afterwards they are slain. This was a full hea\y
year. The man who had any substance was harried of it with
hea\7- taxes and heavy pleas ; the man who had not died of
hunger.
A.D. 1125. This year the king Henry sent before Christmas
from Normandy to England, and commanded that all the mint
men who were in England should be deprived of their limbs,
namely, of each the right hand, and be emasculated ; and tins was
because that the man who had a pound could not expend a penny
of it at market. And the bishop Roger of Salisbury sent over all
England, and commanded all of them that they should come to
Winchester at Christmas. When they were come thither, then
they were taken one by one, and each man was deprived of liis
right hand and emasculated. All this was done within the Twelfth
Night [6th Jan.], and all this was done with much justice, because
that they had ruined all the land with their great deception which
they had introduced.
In this same year the pope of Rome sent to this land a cardinal,
who was named John of Crema ; he came first to the king in Nor-
mandy, and the king received him with great honour, and he after-
wards committed him to the archbishop W[illiam] of Canterbury,
and he conducted him to Canterbury, and he was there received
w-ith great honour, and with a great procession, and he sang the
high-mass on Easter-day [29th March], at Christ's altar. And
afterwards he went over all England to all the bishoprics and
abbeys which w^ere in this land, and everj^vhere he was received
with honour, and all persons gave him great honour and respect.
And afterwards he held his council at London full three days on
the Nativity of St. Mar)', in September [8th Sept.], with arch-
bisliops, and diocesan bishops, and abbats, and clcrg)% and laity,
and there he enjoined the same laws which archbisliop Ansclm had
before enjoined, and many others ; but it availed little. And soon
A.D. 1127.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 159
after Michaelmas [29th Sept.] he went thence over the sea, and
so to Rome ; and the archbishop Wilham of Canterbury, and
the archbishop Thurstan of York, and the bishop A[lexander] of
Lincoln, and J[ohn] the bishop of Lothian, and G[aufridus] abbat
of St. Albans, and there they were received by pope Honorius with
great honour, and they were there all that winter. In this same
year was so great a flood on the festival of St. Lawrence [10th
Aug.], that many towns and men were drowned, and bridges were
broken, and corn and meadows entirely ruined, and famine and death
of men and cattle ; and among all produce of the ground there was
so great unseasonableness as had not been for many years before.
And on this same year died the abbat John of Peterborough, on
the 2d of the ides of October [14th Oct.].
A.D. 1126. All this year was the king Henry in Normandy,
until after harvest ; then came he to this land betwixt the Nativity
of St. Mary [8th Sept.] and Michaelmas [29th Sept.]. With him
came the queen and his daughter, whom he before had given to
wife to the emperor Henry of Lorraine. And he brought with
him the earl Waleram and Hugh the son of Gervaise, and he sent
the earl to Bridgenorth in custody, and thence he afterwards sent
him to Wallingford, and Hugh to Windsor, and he caused him to
be put in hard bonds. And then after Michaelmas [29th Sept.]
came David, the Scottish king, from Scotland, hither to his land ;
and the king Henry received him with great honour, and he con-
tinued all that year in this land. In this same year the king
caused his brother Robert to be taken from Roger, the bishop of
Salisbury, and he consigned him to his son Robert, earl of
Gloucester, and caused him to be led to Bristol and placed there
in the castle. All this was done by the advice of his daughter,
and through her uncle David the Scottish king.
A.D. 1127. This year king Henry held his court on Christmas
at Windsor, and there was the Scottish king David, and all the
chief men, clerks and laymen, which were in England. And there
he caused the archbishops, and bishops, and abbats and earls, and
all the thanes who were there, to confirm by oath the possession
of England and Normandy to his daughter Aethelic [Alice], after
his life ; she had formerly been the wife of the emperor of Saxony.
And he sent her afterwards to Normandy, and with her went her
brother Robert, earl of Gloucester, and Brian the son of the earl
Alein Fergant, and he caused her to marry the son of the earl of
Anjou, named Geoftrey Martel. Nevertheless all the French and
English disliked this : but the king did it to have peace with the
earl of Anjou, and to have help against his nephew William. In
the Lent [16th Feb.] of this same year, the earl Charles of Flan-
ders was slain in a church, where he was prostrate and was pray-
ing to God before the altar, in the midst of the mass, by his own
people. And the king of France brought William, the son of the
earl of Normandy, and gave him the earldom ; and the people of
the land rejected him. This same William had previously taken to
wife the daughter of the earl of Anjou ; but they were afterwards
separated on account of consanguinity : this was entirely through
160 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF KNGLAND. [a.D. 1127—
king lienry of England. After this he took to wife tlie sister of
tlie wife of the king of France, and in consequence the king gave
hirn the earldom of Flanders.
This same year he gave the abbacy of Peterborough to an abbat
named Henry of Foitou.. who kept in possession his abbacy of St.
John of Angeli; and all the archbishops and bishops said that it
was against right, and that he might not have two abbacies in pos-
session. But the same Henry gave the king to understand that lie
had resigned his abbacy, in consequence of the great dispeace that
was in that land ; and that he had done this through the consent
and permission of the pope of Rome, and through that of the
abbat of Cluny, and because he was legate of the Rome-scot. But
nevertheless, it was not entirely so, but he wished to hold both in
possession : and so he did as long as it was God's will. While in
his condition as a cleric he was Bishop of Soissons, afterwards he
became a monk at Cluny, and afterwards prior of the same minster,
and afterwards he became prior of Savigni, because he was a relative
of the king of England, and of the earl of Foitou : then the earl
gave him the abbacy of St. John's minster of Angeli. Afterwards
through his great craft he obtained the archbisliopric of Besanron,
and he had it in possession for three days, and tlien he lost it by
right, because he had before obtained it with unright. After this
he obtained the bishopric of Saintes, which was five miles from
his abbacy; and that he had in possession nearly a week ; the abbat
of Cluny brought him thence as he had before done from Besanron.
Then he bethought himself that if he could be firmly rooted in
England, he might have all that he wished. Then he besought the
king, and said lo him. that he was an old man, and a broken down
man, and that lie could not endure the great acts of injustice and
hostility which were in their land ; and he made his entreaty [to
the king,] personally and by all his friends, namely, for the abbat of
Peterborough ; and the king obtained it for him, because he was his
relative, and because he was a chief person to swear the oaths and
to bear witness on the occasion when the son of the earl of Nor-
mandy and the daughter of the earl of Anjou were separated on
account of consanguinity. Thus miserably was he gifted witli the
abbacy, betwixt Christmas and Candlemas [2d Feb.], at London ;
and so he went with the king to Winchester, and thence he came to
Peterborough, and there he dwelt exactly as a drone does in a hive.
All that the bees carry inward the drones devour and drag outwards ;
and so did he. All that he might take, within and without, from
learned and from ignorant, he sent over the sea ; and he did no good
there, and left no good there. Let no man think it wonderful that
we do not tell the truth, for it was very well known over all the land,
that as soon as ever he came there (which was upon the Sunday
when they sing " Exsurgc, quare O Domine!") [Gth Feb.] then im-
mediately after many persons saw and heard many hunters hunting.
The Imnters were swart, and large, and hideous ; and their hounds
were all black, and broad-eyed and fearful : and they rode upon black
horses and on black goats. This was seen in the very park itself in
the town of Peterborough, and in all the woods which extended from
A. D. 1129.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 161
that same town to Stamford. And the monks heard the horn blown
which they blew in the night. Trustworthy men who observed
them during the night, said that, as it appeared to them, there
might well be about twenty or thirty horn-blowers. This was seen
and heard from the time that he [the abbat] came thither all that
Lenten tide constantly on to Easter [3d April] . This was his coming
in ; of his outgoing we cannot as yet say anything. May God provide !
A.D. 1128. All this year was the king Henry in Normandy in
consequence of the disagreement which was between him and his
nephew, the earl of Flanders. But the earl was wounded in a fight
by a rustic ; and being thus wounded he went to St. Bertin's min-
ster, and soon there became a monk, and he lived five days after
this, and then he died and was there buried. May God honour his
soul ! And this was on the 6th of the kalends of August [27th
July]. And this same year departed the bishop of Durham, Ran-
dulf Passeflambard, and there he was buried on the nones of
September [5th Sept.].
And this same year departed the before-mentioned abbat Henry
home to his own minster, to Poitou, by the king's leave. He gave
the king to understand that he would entirely abandon the minster
and the land, and there dwell with him in England at the minster
of Peterborough. But nevertheless, it was not so. He did this
because he wished to be there by his great wiles, if it were a
twelvemonth or more, and afterwards return again. May Almighty
God have his mercy upon that wretched place !
This same year there came from Jerusalem Hugh [master] of
tlie Temple to the king in Normandy, and the king received him
with great honour, and gave him great presents in gold and in
silver ; and afterwards he sent him to England, and there he was
received by all good men, and they all gave presents to him ; and
in Scotland in like manner. And moreover they sent to Jerusalem
great wealth in gold and in silver. And he invited people out to
Jerusalem ; and there went along with him and after him so many
people, as more had never done before since the first expedition
during the days of pope Urban. Yet it availed little. He said
that a full fight had been settled between the Christians and the
heathen ; but when they came thither, then was it nothing but
leasing. Thus miserably was all that people distressed.
A.D. 1129. During this year the king sent to England after the
earl Waleram, and after Hugh, the son of Gerveis, and there they
ransomed them. And Hugh went home to his own land, to France,
and Waleram remained with the king ; and the king gave him all
his land, excepting only his castle. Afterwards came the king to
England, during the harvest, and the earl came with him ; and
they became as good friends as they had before been enemies.
Soon after this, by the king's counsel and by his leave, William,
the archbishop of Canterbury, sent over all England, and summoned
l.)ishops, and abbats, and archdeacons, and all the priors, monks,
and canons that were in all the cells in England, and all to whom
it belonged to take care of and to look after the Christian faith, that
they should all come to London at Michaelmas [29th Sept.], and that
there they should speak about all God's rights. When they came
VOL. 11. M
1G2 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1130—
thither, then began the conference on Monday [30th Sept.], and con-
tinued until the Friday [4th Oct.]. When it all came forth, then was
it all about arclideacons' wives, and about priests' wives, that they
should abandon them by St. Andrew's Mass [30th Nov.] ; and that
he who would not do this should forego his church, and his house,
and his home, and should never more have any claim thereto. The
archbishop of Canterbur)^ William, enjoined tliis, and all the dio-
cesan bishops who were then in England ; but the king gave them
all leave to go home, and so they went home ; and thus the canon
availed nothing. All kept their wives, by the king's leave, as they
had hitherto done.
This same year departed the bishop of Winchester, William
Giffard, and there he was buried, on the eighth of the kalends of
February [25th Jan.] ; and after Michaelmas [29th Sept.] the king
Henry gave the bishopric to his nephew Hemy, abbat of Glaston-
bury, and he was consecrated bishop by William, the archbisliop of
Canterbuiy, on the fifteenth of the kalends of December [17th Nov.].
This same year departed pope Honorius. Before he was well dead,
there were chosen two popes : the one was named Peter ; he was
a monk of Cluny, and he was of the family of the richest men in
Rome ; and with him held the people of Rome and the duke of
Sicily. The other was named Gregory. He was a clerk ; and he
was driven out of Rome by the other pope and by his kinsmen.
With him held the emperor of Saxony, and the king of France, and
the king Henry of England, and all those on this side of the moun-
tains [the Alps] . Now this became so great a prodigy in Christendom
as had never been seen before. May Christ give counsel for his
wretched people ! In this same year, on the night of the festival
of St. Nicolas [6th Dec], a little before day, there was a great
earthquake.
A.D. 11 30. On this year was the minster of Canterbury hallowed
by the archbishop William, on the day of the 4th of the nones
of May [4th May]. There were there these bishops : John of
Rochester, Gilbert Universalis of London, Henry of Winchester,
Alexander of Lincoln, Roger of Salisbury, Simon of Worcester,
Roger of Coventry, Godefreith of Bath, Eovrard of Norwich, Sige-
frid of Chichester, Bernard of Saint David's, Audoenus of Evreux,
of Normandy, John of Saeis. On the 4th day after this [8th
May], the king Henry was at Rochester; and the town was nearly
consumed ; and the archbishop William hallowed St. Andrew's
minster, and the aforesaid bishops with him. And the king Henry
went over the sea into Normandy, in autumn. In this same year
came the abbat Henry of Angeli, after Easter, to Peterborough, and
said that he had entirely abandoned that minster. After him came
the abbat of Cluni, named Peter, to England, by the king's per-
mission, and was well received, wheresoever he came, with great
worship. He came to Peterborough, and there the abbat Hemy
promised him that he would obtain for him the minster of Peter-
borough, that it should be in subjection to Cluni. But it is said,
as a proverb, "The hedge remains, and separates the fields." May
God Almighty bring to nought evil counsels ! And soon thereafter
went the abbat of Cluni home to his countrv.
A.D. 1131.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. ] G3
^ This year was Anagus slain by the army of the Scots, and there
was a great multitude slain with him. There was God's justice
executed upon him, for that he was entirely forsworn.
A.D. 1131. This year, after Christmas, on a Monday night, at
the first sleep, was the heaven on the north half all as if it were
burning fire, so that all who saw it were so afraid as they never
were before; this was on the 3d of the ides of January ^ [1 1th Jan.].
In this same year was so great a disease among the cattle as never
was before in the memory of man, over all England. It was upon
neat-cattle and on swine ; so that on the town where were ten
ploughs or twelve going, there was not one left ; and the man who
had two hundred or three hundred swine, to him there remained
not one. After that died the hens, then the flesh-meat grew short,
and the cheese and the butter. May God amend this when it shall
be his will ! And the king Henry came home to England before
autumn, after the former mass of St. Peter.^
In this same year went the abbat Henry, before Easter, from
Peterborough over the sea to Normandy, and there spoke with the
king, and told him that the abbat of Cluni had desired that he
should come to him and deliver to him the abbacy of Angeli, and
after that he should come home by his leave ; and so he went home
to his own minster, and their resided even to Midsummer day
['24th June]. And the day next after the Festival of St. John [25th
June], the monks chose an abbat from among themselves, and
brought him into the church with procession; they sang " Te Deum
laudamus ! " they rang the bells, they set him on the abbat's
throne, and they paid him all the homage which they ought to do
to their abbat ; and the earl and all the chief men and the monks
banished the other abbat, Heniy, out of the minster. And they
had need ; for during twenty-five winters they had never expected
one good day. Here failed him all his great crafts ; now it behoved
him that he should creep in his great codde into every corner, if
there were at least any worthless trick by which he might even yet
once more betray Christ and all Christian folk. Then he entered
into Cluni, and there he was so held that he could move neither
east nor v/est. The abbat of Cluni said that they had lost St. John's
minster through him, and through his great stupidity. Then he
knew no better remedy for himself ; unless he promised them and
swore oaths upon the relics of the saints, that if he might return to
England, he would obtain for them the minster of Peterborough, so
> This passage is from a latter addition, on*a blank page inserted in D. Cona-
pare Fordun. a.d. 1130 ; i. 295, 448.
- In A.D. 1131 the 11th January fell on a Sunday. Ingram rejects Gibson's
version, which is the same as that given above, and renders, " On a Monday
night," which is untenable.
^ . . . . " fefter S. Peteres messe the firrer." This passage has been variously
dealt with. Gibson says, very honestly, in reference to the expression, " the firrer,"
" vocis hujusce significationem plane nescio." Manning, in his supplement to Lye,
gives another interpretation. Ingram says that it means the feast of St. Peter
ad vincula, " en la ferrure" in French. Tlie meaning however seems to be plainly
this, that the king returned after the former festival of St. Peter, that, namely,
on June 29, and before autumn. And hence we find Florence stating that he
returned in June. There are two festivals, one which has been just mentioned,
the other on 1st August.
M 2
1C4 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 113-2—
that he shoukl there place the prior of Chini, and a guardian of the
church, and a treasurer, and a keeper of the vestments, and that he
would give them all the things which were within the minster and
without. Tims he went into France, and there he remained all
that year. JNIay Christ counsel for the wretched monks of Peter-
borough, and for that wretched place ; now they have need of the
help of Christ, and of all Christian people.
A.D. 1132. This year came Henry the king to this land ; and
then came Henry the abbat, and betrayed the monks of Peter-
borough to the king, because he wished to bring the minster under
subjection to Cluni, so that the king was well nigh cajoled and
sent after the monks. And [yet] through God's mercy, and
through the bishop of Salisbury, and the bishop of Lincoln, and the
other powerful men who were there, the king knew that he was
proceeding with treachery. When he could do nothing more, then
he decreed that his nephew should be abbat in Peterborough ; but
Christ would not permit it. It was not long after this that the king
sent after him, and caused him to give up the abbacy of Peter-
borough, and go out of the land ; and the king gave the abbacy to
a prior of St. Neot's, who was named Martin, and he came on
St. Peter's mass-day [29th June], with great honour, into the
minster.
A.D. 1133, 1134.
A.D. 1 135. In this year went the king Henry over the sea at the
Lammas [1st Aug.], and on the second day, when he lay asleep in
the ship, the day grew dark over all the land, and the sun became
as it were a three -night- old moon, and stars about him, at mid-day.
People became very much astonished and afraid, and said that a
great incident should happen after this. And so it did, for that
same year the king died, the second day [1st Dec] after St.
Andrew's mass -day, in Normandy. There was sorrow soon in the
land, for every one who was able soon plundered the other. Then
his son and his friends took his body and brought it to England,
and buried it at Reading. He was a good man, and great awe
there was of him ; no one dared misdo against another in his
time. Peace he made for man and beast. Whosoever bore as his
burden gold or silver, no one durst say to him anything but good.
In the midst of this was his nephew come to England, Stephen de
Blais, and he came to London, and the London-folk received him,
and sent after the archbishop, William Curbuil, and hallowed him
to king on Mid-winter day [25th Dec.]. In this king's time was
all dissension, and evil, and rapine ; for against him soon arose the
powerful men who were traitors ; first of all Baldwin de Redvers.
and held Exeter against him, and the king besieged it, and then
Baldwin accorded. Then the others took and held their castles
against him ; and David, king of Scotland, began to war against
him ; yet, nevertheless, messengers passed between the armies ;
and they came together and became reconciled, though it lasted
but for a little.
A D. 1136.
A.D. 1137. This yearwent the king Stephen over the sea to
Normandy, and there was received, because that they thought that
A.D. 1137.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. l65
he would be just such an one as the uncle was, and because he
had obtained his [uncle's] treasure ; but he divided it and scattered
it foolishly. King Henry had gathered much gold and silver ; but
no good was done for his soul therewith. When king Stephen had
come into England, then he made his gathering at Oxford ; and
there he took the bishop Roger of Salisbury, and Alexander, bishop
of Lincoln, and the chancellor Roger, his nephew, and threw them
all into prison, until they gave up their castles. When the traitors
perceived that he was a mild man, and gentle, and good, and did
no execution, then did they all wonder. They had done him homage
and sworn oaths ; but they kept no troth, they were all forsworn,
and broke their troths, for every powerful man made castles for
himself, and held them against him, and tilled the land full of
castles. They greatly oppressed the wretched men of the land with
castle -works. Wlien the castles were made, they filled them with
devils and evil men. They took the men whom they supposed to
have any property, both by night and by day, males and females,
and put them into prison for their gold and silver, and tormented
them with unspeakable torments ; for there were never martyrs so
tormented as they were. They hung them by the feet and smoked
them with foul smoke ; they hung them by the thumbs, or by the
head, and hung coats of mail on their feet. They put knotted
strings about their heads, and twisted till it went to the brains.
They put them into dungeons in which were adders, and snakes,
and toads ; and killed them thus. Some they put in a crucet house,
that is, in a chest which was short, and narrow, and shallow, and
put sharp stones therein, and thrust the man therein, so that they
broke all the limbs. In many of the castles were things loathly and
grim ; there were chains which two or three men had enough to do
to bear one, which was thus made, that is, fastened to a beam; and
they put a sharp iron about the man's throat and his neck, so that
he could in no direction either sit, or lie, or sleep, but he must
support all the iron. Many thousands they killed with hunger. I
neither can nor may tell all the wounds nor all the pains which
they did to the wretched men of this land ; and this lasted the
nineteen years while Stephen was king, and always it was worse and
worse. They laid contributions on the towns every now and then,
and called it tenserie ; and when the wretched men had nothing
more to give, then they plundered and burned all the towns : and
you might easily go a whole day's journey and never find a man
remaining in a town, nor the land tilled. Then was corn dear, and
fiesh, and cheese, and butter, for there was none in the land.
Wretched men died of hunger. Some went a-begging who formerly
had been rich men ; some fled out of the country. There had
never yet been greater wretchedness in the land ; nor ever did
heathen men worse than they did ; for, after a time, they spared
neither church nor churchyard, but took all the goods which were
therein, and then burnt the church and all together. Neither did
they spare the bishop's land, nor the abbat's, nor the priest's; but
they plundered monks and clerks, and every one plundered another,
if he could. If two or three men came riding to a town, all the
township fled on account of them ; they thought that they were
166 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 113S—
robbers. The bishops and the clergy constantly cursed them, but
that was nothing to them ; for they were all accursed, and forsworn,
and lost. Whatever men tilled, yet tlie earth bore no corn, for the
land was entirely destroyed with such doings ; and people said
openly that Christ and his saints slept. Such, and more than we
can say, we suffered nineteen winters for our sins. During all this
evil time, abbat Martin held his abbacy, twenty winters, and a half-
year, and eight days, with much labour, and provided for the monks
and the guests whatever they required, and held much indulgence
in the house ; and nevertheless he laboured on the [building of] the
church, and added thereto lands and rents, and benefited it much,
and caused it to be roofed over, and brought them into the new
minster, on St. Peter's mass-day [29th June], with great worship;
that was in the year 1140 from the incarnation of our Lord, and
the twenty-third from the burning of the place. And he went to
Rome and was well received by the pope Eugenius, and there
obtained privileges, one for all the lands of the abbacy, and another
for all the lands which belonged to the sacrist ; and had he lived
longer, he intended having done the same for the treasurer. And
he obtained some lands, which powerful men had [held back] by
violence; of William Malduit (who held the castle of Rockingham),
he won Cotingham and Estun ; and of Hugo of Waltevile, he won
Hyrtlingbury and Stanewig, and sixty shillings of Aldewingle
each year. And he made many monks, and planted a vineyard,
and raised many buildings, and altered the town better than it was
before ; and he was a good monk and a good man, and therefore
God and good men loved him.
Now will we tell some part of what happened in king Stephen's
time. In his time the Jews of Norwich bought a christian child
before Easter, and tortured him with all the same torments
with which our Lord was tortured ; and on Long Friday they
hanged him on the rood for our Lord's love, and afterwards buried
him. They thought that it would be hidden, but our Lord mani-
fested that he was a holy martyr ; and the monks took him and
buried him honourably in the minster, and he performs, through
our Lord, wonderful and manifold miracles, and he is called Saint
William.
A.D. 1138. In this year came David, king of Scotland, with an
immense army to this land ; he wished to win this land. And
against him came William, earl of Albamar, to whom the king had
entrusted York, and to other good men, with a few men, and
fought with them, and routed the king at the Standard, and slew
very many of his company.
A.D. 1139.
A.D. 1140. In this year the king Stephen wished to capture
Robert, earl of Gloucester, the son of king Henry, but he could
not, for the other was aware of it. After this, during Lent, the
sun darkened, and the day, about the noontide of the day, when
people were eating, so that they lighted candles to eat by; and that
was on the 13th of the kalends of April [20th March]. Men were
very much astonished. After this William, archbishop of Canter-
bury, died, and the king made Theobald archbishop, who had
A.D. 1140.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 167
been abbat at Bee. After this there grew very great strife
between the king and Randolf, earl of Chester, not because
that he did not give him all that he could ask him, (as he did
all the others,) but always the more he gave them, the worse
they were to him. The earl held Lincoln against the king, and
deprived him of all that he ought to have ; and the king went
thither and besieged him and his brother William de Romare in
the castle, and the earl stole out and went after Robert, earl of
Gloucester, and brought him thither with a great army, and they
fought furiously on Candlemas-day [2d Feb.] against their lord,
and took him, for his men betrayed him and fled, and they led him
to Bristol, and put him in prison there, and Then was
all England excited more than it had been before, and all evil was
in the land. Thereafter came the daughter of king Henry who had
been empress in Germany, and now was countess in Anjou, and
she came to London, and the London- folk would have taken her,
and she fled and lost thus much. Afterwards Heniy, bishop of
Winchester, the brother of king Stephen, spoke with earl Robert
and with the empress, and swore oaths to them that he would
never more hold with the king, his brother, and he cursed all those
who held with him ; and he told them that he would give Win-
chester up to them, and he caused them to come thither. When
they were within, then came the king's wife, with all her strength,
and besieged them, so that there was great hunger within. Wlien
they could endure it no longer, then stole they out and fled ; but
those who were outside were aware, and followed them, and they
took Robert, earl of Gloucester, and led him to Rochester, and
put him there in prison, and the empress fled into a minster.
Then the wise men mediated (the king's friends and the earl's
friends), and so agreed that the king should be let out of pri-
son for the earl, and the earl for the king, and so they did.
After this, the king and Randolph the earl agreed at Stanford, and
swore oaths and plighted troth that neither of them would deceive
the other. But it did not last, for the king afterwards took him at
Hamptun, through wicked counsel, and put him into prison ; and
presently he let him out, through worse counsel, on the condition
that he swore on the relics, and found hostages that he would sur-
render all his castles. Some he gave up, and some he gave not,
and did worse than he before had done. Then was England very
much divided ; some held with the king, and some with the
empress ; for when the king was in prison, then the earls and
powerful men thought that he should never more come out, and
they accorded with the empress, and brought her into Oxford, and
gave her the town. When the king was out [of prison], then he
heard say of that, and he took his army and besieged her in the
town ; and they let her down by night from the tower with ropes,
and she stole out and fled, and went on foot to Wallingford.
After this she went over the sea ; and they of Normandy turned all
from the king to the earl of Anjou, some with their will, and some
against their will ; for he besieged them until they gave up their
castles, and they had no help of the king. Then went Eustace,
the king's son, to France, and took the sister of the king of France
168 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1141 —
to wife ; he tliouglit to obtain Normandy thereby, but he sped
Uttle, and by good right, for he was an evil man, for wherever he
was, he did more evil than good. He plundered the lands, and
laid great contributions on them. He brought his wife to England,
and put her in the castle of ... . bur)'. Good woman she was,
but she had little happiness with him ; and Christ willed not that
he should long reign ; and both he and his mother died. And the
earl of Anjou died ; and his son Henry took the kingdom. And the
queen of France separated from the king, and she came to the
young earl Henry, and he took her to wife, and all Poitou with
her. Then went he with a great army into England, and won
castles ; and the king went against him witli a much greater army,
and yet they did not fight ; but the archbishop and the wise men
went between them, and made this agreement, [namely,] that the
king should be lord and king while he lived, and after his day
Henry should be king, and that he would hold him [Stephen] as
a father, and he would hold him [Heniy] as a son, and that peace
and concord should be between them and in all England. This, and
the other covenants which they made, the king and the earl swore
to hold, and the bishop, and the earls, and all the noblemen. Then
was the earl received at Winchester and at London with great
worship, and all did homage to him, and swore that they would
keep the peace ; and soon there was very good peace, such as never
was here [before] . Then was the king stronger than he ever was
here ; and the earl went over the sea, and all the people loved
him, for he did good justice, and made peace.
A.D. 1141—1153.
A.D. 1154. In this year died the king Stephen, and he was
buried where his son and his daughter were buried, at Favresfeld ;
they had made that minster. When the king died, the earl was
beyond sea ; and no man durst do but good to other, for the great
awe of him. When he came to England, he was received with
great worship ; and he was consecrated as king in London on the
Sunday before Midwinter day [19th Dec] ; and there he held a
great court. The same day that Martin, abbot of Peterborough,
should have gone thither, he sickened, and died on the 4th of the
nones of January [2d Jan.], and the monks, within a day, chose
another of themselves, one named William de Wattevile, a good
clerk and a good man, and well beloved of the king and of all
good men ; and all the monks buried the abbat worshipfully ; and
soon the abbat elect, and the monks with him, went to Oxford to
the king ; and the king gave him that abbacy ; and he went soon
to Peterborough, and was there with the abbat before he went
home ; and the king was received with great worship at Peter-
borough [and] with grertt procession, and so was he also at
Ramsey and at Thorney, and at T . . . and at Spalding, and at
bercs, and abbat, and had begun
THE END OF THE SAXON CHRONICLE.
THE CHIIONICLE OE ELOEENCE OE
WOECESTEE.
PREFACE TO FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
§ 1. The Chronicle of Florence of Worcester has a double
claim upon our attention. It is valuable historically, as a record
of events, arid critically, as contributing to a knowledge of the
condition of the Saxon Chronicle at the time when that document
supplied the monk of Worcester with the basis of the history which
passes under his name. It is in the former of these capacities
only that it claims our notice upon the present occasion.
§ 2. Of Florence himself we know very little. He is said to have
been an inmate of the great Benedictine monastery of Worcester; and
not only is there nothing in his Chronicle which militates against this
statement, but there is much which establishes its credibility. The
Continuation of this history states, that " upon the nones of July,
Florence, the monk of Worcester, died ; by whose skill, learning,
and studious industry this Chronicle has the preeminence over all
others."' In the preparation of this work, Florence adopted for
his basis the Chronicle of Marianus Scotus,' into which he has
interwoven a large body of information respecting England. The
earlier portion of his work is borrowed from the Saxon Chronicle
and the Ecclesiastical Histoiy of the Venerable Beda, interspersed,
however, with a few extracts from the Lives of the English Saints.
From 849 to 888 Asser's Life of Alfred forms the staple ; but the
narrative is slightly abridged, and occasionally transposed. After
this last date he returns to the Saxon Chronicle once more ; and
from it by far the larger portion of the remainder of his work is
derived. These several materials he employs with care and dis-
cretion ; and although his narrative is without the slightest claim to
artistic skill, it tells its tale simply and intelligibly.
' See also Wharton's Angl. Sacr. i. 475, for a note to the same effect.
2 This Marianus, an Irishman, was born about a.d. 1028, and, liiie many of his
countrymen, he spent the larger portion of his life upon the continent, residing
successively at Cologne, Fulda, and Mentz. He died about 1082 or 1083, leaving
behind him a Chronicle which extends from the creation of the world to his own
time. The notices of British affairs which it contains are few and unimportant.
The copy of Marianus which was used by Florence appears to have very closely
i-esembled that in the Cottonian Library, marked Nero, C. v. An admirable edition
has lately appeared in the fifth volume of Pertz's collection of German Historians,
the text of which is fotmded upon a MS. in the Vatican, which claims to be the
autograph of the author.
M 3
PREFACE TO FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
§ 3. The most important manuscripts of Florence which remain
are the following : —
One in the library of Corpus Christi College at Oxford, written
in folio, upon parchment, in double columns, about the middle of
the twelfth century. It appears to have formerly belonged to the
church of Worcester, and may be considered the most valuable
copy which we have. It breaks off in the year 1140, having
suffered mutilation at the end.
§ 4. One in the archiepiscopal library at Lambeth, in large
folio, written upon vellum, in double columns. It contains the
Continuation, ending in 1131. From the fact of it presenting
some interpolated passages respecting the monasteiy of Abingdon,
it is supposed, not unreasonably, to have formerl)^ belonged to that
foundation.
§ 5. One in the Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 297, in folio, on
vellum, written in double columns, towards the end of the twelfth
century. It also contains the Continuation, ending in 113 L It
apparently belonged to the monastery of Buiy St. Edrfiund's.
§ 6. One in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge,
marked xcii. in Nasmith's Catalogue, in folio, on vellum, written
in double columns, towards the end of the twelfth century, or
perhaps the begiiming of the thirteenth. This copy formerly be-
longed to the monastery of Peterborough. It also contains the
Continuation as far as 1 131 ; and then a third annalist, named John de
Taxter (of whom more hereafter), carries on the narrative to 1295.
§ 7. One in the library of Magdalen College, Oxford, number
XXXVI., on vellum, in folio, written in the thirteenth centuiy. It
has the Continuation as far as 1131.
§ 8. One in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, in small
quarto, on vellum, written in the thirteenth century, with a Con-
tinuation to 1137.
§ 9. A second in the same library, in duodecimo, on vellum,
written in various hands. It is continued as far as the year 1141,
where it concludes abruptly, being mutilated at the end.
§ 10. The Cottonian manuscript, Vitellius A. xiii., and that
numbered clxxxv. in the library of Corpus Christi, Cambridge,
may be here mentioned, since they both contain copies of Florence
of Worcester, although they are erroneously described as manuscripts
of the Chronicle of Walter of Coventry.
§ 11. Tiiree editions of the Chronicle of Florence of Worcester
have appeared.
The first edition is that edited in quarto, at London, in 1592,
from two manuscripts which then were in the possession of Lord
William Howard, of Naw-orth,' and which afterwards became the
property of Archbishop Ussher, and are now, with the rest of the
collections of that eminent prelate, in the library of Trinity College,
Dublin. (See §§ 8 and 9.) This edition was very carelessly
reprinted at Frankfort in the year 1601.
§ 12. Mr. Petrie's first volume of the Materials for the History
of Britain contains a carefully executed edition of the Chronicle of
' DiiL'il. Bar. ii. 281.
PREFACE TO FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
Florence as far as the year 106G. The text is revised by collation
with the more important of the copies which we have described above.
§ 13. In 1848 and 1849 the English Historical Society published
an edition of this work, which was edited by B. Thorpe, Esq. It is
based upon the manuscript belonging to Corpus Christi College at
Oxford, but with collations from some other copies. It also con-
tains the several Continuations which we have specified in the course
of our remarks upon the different manuscript copies of this author,
§ 14. The Continuation, which extends from the period of the
death of Florence of Worcester to the year 1141, next claims our
notice, since a translation of it into English is contained in the
present volume. It would seem that this narrative was, in the
first instance, carried no further than 1131, at which date it
ceases in several copies, while in others it ends at various years
between the last-mentioned period and 1141. These Continuations
are certainly the productions of contemporary^ writers, one of
whom was called John ; ^ and this portion of the work is entitled
to especial notice as recording much valuable information upon the
history of our nation during the period which it embraces.
§ 15. Prefixed to all the manuscript copies of Florence of Wor-
cester, and probably compiled by himself, are lists of the arch-
bishops and bishops of the several English sees, together with the
succession of the sovereigns of the various kingdoms into which
this realm was formerly divided. These are founded upon some
very ancient lists still remaining. Translations of these have been
appended to this edition. The text of Florence which has been
used for this purpose, and for the Chronicle as far as 1066, is that
of Petrie ; from 1066 to the end of the work, the edition of the
English Historical Society has been employed.
* He speaks of Henry, bishop of Winchester, as papal legate at the time when
he wrote, (see A.D. 113i,) and from that prelate he had some information which
he records a.d. 1137. Stephen is mentioned in the following year, as being tipon
the throne when the passage was written, (see also a.d. 1139.) In one place (a.d.
1139), an expression is employed which would seem to lead to the inference that
it was written by a monk of the abbey of Gloucester : but when narrating the
pillage of the city of Worcester, which occurred in the same year, the author
speaks of himself as engaged, along with the other monks, in performing divine
service within the quire of that cathedral. In 1141 he tells us that some of his
information respecting the empress Matilda was derived immediately from Milo,
eai'l of Hereford.
-' See a.d. 1138.
Leiohton Buzzard,
I7th November, 1853.
THE CHRONICLE
FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
In the year of our Lord 450, in the time of the emperor Martian,
as Beda^ testifies, the Anglo-Saxons came over to Britain in three
long ships ; they who came were of the three most powerful nations
of Germany, that is to say, the Saxons, the Angles, and the Jutes.
From the Jutes descend the inhabitants of Kent and the Isle of
Wight ; from the Saxons spring the East Saxons, the South
Saxons, and the West Saxons ; -and from the Angles (that is, from
the country which is called Angulus) have come the East Angles,
the Mid-Angles, the Mercians, all the Northumbrian race, and the
rest of the English people. Tlieir two first leaders are said to have
been two brothers named Hengst and Hors. They were the sons
of Wictgisl, whose father was Witta, whose father was Wecta, whose
father was Woden ; from whose stock the royal families of many
provinces deduce their origin.
A.D. 451 — 454.
A.D. -4 55. Hengst and Hors fought against Wyrtgeorne, king
of the Britons, at a place which is called Aegelesthrep ; and although
Hors was slain in that battle, yet Hengst gained the victory : and
after that, he began to reign with his son Aesc.
A.D. 456.
A.D. 457. Hengst and Aesc fought a battle with the Britons at
a place called Creccanford, and slew four thousand of their men
with the edge of the sword ; the remainder entirely deserted Kent,
and fled in great terror to London.
A.D. 458—464.
A.D. 465. Hengst and Aesc fought with the Britons near
Wippedesfleote, that is, Wipped's passage ; and slew twelve chiefs,
and many others of the enemy, and only one of their own thanes
named Wipped was killed.
A.D. 466—472.
A.D. 473. Hengst and Aesc fought for the fourth time against
the Britons, and, gaining the victory, carried off booty beyond
measure. In this battle the Britons fled from the Angles as
from fire.
A.D. 474—476.
' Eccl. Hist. I. XV.
172 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 477—
A.D. 477. Aelle and his three sons, Cimen, Wlencing, and
Cissa, came over to Britain with three ships, and landed at a place
called Cymenesore, and there slew many of the Britons, and drove
the others into the forest called Andredeslea.
A.D. 478—484.
A.D. 485. Aelle, in a battle with the Britons near Mearcredes-
Burn, that is, Mearcred's Brook, slew many of them, and put the
rest to flight.
A.D. 486, 487.
A.D. 488. Hengst died, after having vigorously governed tlic
kingdom of Kent for thirty-four years. His son Aesc succeeded
him in the kingdom, and reigned twenty-four years.
A.D. 489, 490.
A.D. 491. Olibrius the younger was consul. In the same year
the emperor Zeno died. Saint Patric, archbishop of Ireland, died
in perfect peace, aged 122 years. Aelle and his son Cissa took
Andred-cester after a long siege, and exterminated its inhabitants
down to the very youngest.
A.D. 492—494.
A.D. 495. In this year, two chiefs, namely Cerdic and his son
Cynric, came over to Britain with five ships, and landing at a place
called Cerdicsore, fought on the , same day against the Britons,
defeated them, and put them to flight.
A.D. 496—500.
A.D. 501. Port, and his two sons, Bida and JNIeagla, arrived in
Britain with his two ships, at a place called Portesmuth, and slew
many Britons, among whom was a young man of very high birth.
A.D. 502—507.
A.D. 508. Cerdic, and his son Cynric, slew Natanleod, king of
the Britons, and five thousand of his men with the edge of the
sword ; all the region, as far as Cerdicsford, was called Natanleod
after his name.
A.D. 509—513.
A.D. 514. The West Saxons came over to Britain with three
ships, and landed at a place called Cerdicsore. Their chiefs, Stuf
and Wihtgar, were the nephews of Cerdic. They shortly afterwards
attacked the Britons, and slew some, and put the rest to flight.
A.D. 515—518.
A.D. 519. Cerdic and Cynric began to reign, and in the same
year they fought against, and overcame the Britons at the place
called Cerdicsford.
A.D. 520.
A.D. 521. Simmachus and Boetius were consuls. Saint Brigid,
the Scotch virgin, (bed in Ireland.
A.D. 522—52(5.
A.D. 527. Cerdic and Cynric fought for the fourth time against
the Britons at the place called Cerdicsleagc.
A.D. 528, 529.
A.D. 530. Cerdic and CjTiric took the Isle of Wight and gave
it to their nephews Stuf and Wihtgar, and slew a few men at
Wihtgarabirig [Carisbrook].
A.D. 559.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 173
A.D. 531—533.
A.D. 534. Cerdic, the first king of the West Saxons, died, and
his son Cynric reigned after him by himself for twenty-six years.
A.D. 535—537.
A.D. 538. An edipse of the sun took place on the 14th of
the kalends of March [15th Feb.], and lasted from the first until
the third hour.
A.D. 539.
A.D. 540. An eclipse of the sun took place on the 12th of the
kalends of July [20th June], and the stars showed themselves full
nigh half-an-hour after the third hour of the day.
A.D. 541—543.
A.D. 544. Wihtgar, the nephew of Cerdic, king of the West
Saxons, died, and was buried in Wihtgarabirig, that is, the city of
Wihtgar.
A.D. 545, 546.
A.D. 547. Ida began to reign in the province of Bernicia, and
he reigned twelve years. He had, by his queens, six sons, namely,
Adda, Baelric, Theodric, Aethelric, Theodher, and Osmer ; and six
by his concubines, namely, Occ, Alric, Ecca, Oswold, Sogor, and
Sogether. From these descended the royal line of the North-
humbrians. Ida was the son of Eoppa, who was the son of Esa,
who was the son of Ingui, who was the son of Angenwit, who was
the son of Aloe, who was the son of Benoc, who was the son of
Brand, who was the son of Bealdeag, who was the son of Woden,
wlio was the son of Frithelaf, who was the son of Frithulf, who was
the son of Finn, who was the son of Godulf, who was the son of
Geata.
A.D. 548—551.
A.D. 552. Cynric, king of the West Saxons, fought against the
Britons, at a place called Searesbirig, and put them to flight. His
father was Cerdic, who was the son of Elesa, who was the son of
Esla, who was the son of Gewis, who was the son of Wig, who was
the son of Freawine, who was the son of Freothegar, who was the
son of Brand, who was the son of Bealdeag, who was the son of
Woden.
A.D. 553—555.
A.D. 556. Cynric and Ceaulin fought against the Britons at
Beranbyrig and put them to flight.
A.D. 557, 558.
A.D. 559. Aelle began to reign in the province of Deira, and he
governed it vigorously for nearly thirty years. When Saint Gregory
saw some English youths set for sale in the market-place at Rome,
he said, in allusion to the name of this province, " Alleluiah, the
praise of God the Creator must be sung in those parts." During
Aelle's lifetime, Adda, the eldest son of Ida, reigned over the
Bernicians seven years ; Clappa, five years ; Theoduulf, one year ;
Freothulf, seven years ; Theodric, seven years ; and Aethelric, two
years : the latter, on the death of Aelle, and the expulsion from the
kingdom of his son Edwin, reigned five years over both provinces.
Aelle was the son of Iffi, whose father was Wuscfrea, whose father
174 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 5G0—
was Wilgels, whose father was Westorwalcna, whose father was
Seomel, whose father was Suearta, whose father was Saefugel, whose
lather was Seabald, whose father was Siggeot, wliose father was
Suuebdeag, whose father was Siggar, whose father was Weagdeag,
whose father was Woden.
A.D. 560. Ceauhn, the son of Cynric, began to reign over the
West Saxons, and he reigned thirty-three years.
A.D. 561, Aethelbriht, king of Kent, began to reign, and ac-
cording to Beda,' he reigned fifty-six years.
A.D. 562—564.
A.D. 565. Columba, priest and abbot, came from Ireland into
Britain, the most potent king Bridius being king of the Picts, and
converted the Northern Picts to Christianity. Hence he obtained
from them the Island of Hii, for the purpose of building a monastery.
A.D. 566, 567.
A.D. 568. While Aethelbriht, king of Kent, was waging war
against Ceaulin, king of the West Saxons, and Cutha his brother,
he was driven by them into Kent ; and Oslaf and Cnebba, two of
his ealdormen, were killed at Wibbandun.
A.D. 569, 570.
A.D. 571. Cuthulf, the brother of king Ceaulin, fought with the
Britons, at a place called Bedanford ; and gaining the victoiy, took
from them four royal vills, namely, Liganburh, Egelesburh, Ben-
singtun, and Eignesham ; and he died in the same year.
A.D. 572—576.
A.D. 577. Ceaulin, king of the West Saxons, and his son
Cuthwine, fought with the Britons at a place called Deorham, and
slew their three kings, Conmeail, Condidan, and Farinmeil, and
many other men ; and took from them three cities, namely,
Glauwecester, Cirenceaster, and Bathanceaster.
A.D. 578—583.
A.D. 584. Ceaulin, king of the West Saxons, and his son Cutha,
fought with the Britons at a place called Fethanleah. In this
battle Cutha fell, fighting bravely in the thickest of the strife. But
king Ceaulin gained the victory, and took from them much booty
and many vills.
A.D. 585 — 587.
A.D. 588. Aelle, king of Deira, died in the thirtieth year of his
reign, and after him, Aethelric, the son of Ida, reigned five years
over both provinces.
A.D. 589. The holy father Columba,^ with Saint Gall and
other tried disciples, came from Ireland, the island of saints, into
Burgundy ; and there, by the permission of king Theodoric, he
built the monastery of Luxeu. Driven thence by Brunihilda, he
went into Germany, and left Saint Gall there : but he himself
passed over into Italy and founded the monastery of Bobbio, where
he became the head of a large congregation of monks.
A.D. 590.
'- Keel. Hist. II. V.
^ On the history of St. Columha and Iiis variuus cecle3ia.stical foundations, see
Mabill. Annal. Onl. S. Benud. lib. viii. § 1.
A.D. 603.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 175
A.D. 591. Ceol, the son of Cuthulf, who was the brother of king
Ceaulin, began to reign, and he reigned five years over the West
Saxons.
A.D. 592. There was a battle at a place called Wodnesbeorh,
that is, Woden's Mount, and king Ceaulin was driven from his
kingdom with great slaughter in the thirty-third year of his reign.
A.D. 593. Ceaulin, Cuichelm, and Crida perished. Aethelric,
king of Northumbria died : Aethelfrith, his son, assumed the reins
of government and held them twenty-four years : he had seven
sons, namely, Eanfrith, Oswald, Oslaf, ' Oswiu, OfFa, Osuudu, and
Oslac, and one daughter, named Aebbe.
A.D. 594, 595.
A.D. 596. In the 147th year after the arrival of the Angles in
Britain, and the fourteenth indiction, pope Gregory, moved by
divine inspiration, sent Augustine, the servant of God, and several
God-fearing monks with him, to preach the word of God to the
English nation.
A.D. 597. The aforesaid teachers arrived in Britain this year,
as Beda" testifies, and converted Aethelbriht, king of Kent, to
Christianity, in the thirty-fifth year^ of his reign. It was not long
before the king advanced his teacher Augustine to the episcopal
see of Canterbuiy, the metropolis of his kingdom. Supported by
the king, Augustine obtained possession of a church which had been
formerly built there by the Roman Christians, and consecrated it
in the name of the Saviour. Ceolulf, son of Cutha, who was the
brother of king Ceaulin, succeeded to the kingdom of the West
Saxons, and he held it fourteen years : he was always at war either
with the Angles, or Britons, or Picts, or Scots. He was the son of
Cutha, who was the son of Cenric, who was the son of Cerdic.
A.D. 598, 599.
A.D. 600. Ivo, the apostolic doctor, and truly an ambassador
from heaven, and a renowned prelate, died ; born, like the Star
of the East, in Persia, he was destined by God for the western
limits of Britain.
A.D. 601. In the nineteenth year of the reign of the emperor
Mauritius, the fourth indiction, Gregory, in a letter to Augustine,
decided that the bishops of London and York should alike receive
the pall from Rome and be metropolitans.
A.D. 602.
A.D. 603. Aethelfrith, a very brave king, and most greedy of
glory, did more damage to the Britons than any former English
ruler. Large tracts of their country, the natives being either ex-
terminated or subdued, he either made tributary to, or fit for the
habitation of the Angles. Indignant at these successes, Aedan,
king of the Scots, came with an immense army against him, but
was defeated, and fled with only a few survivors. Aethelfrith put
an end to this war at a place called Degsastan, in the eleventh
year of his reign, and the first of that of the emperor Phocas.
^ See the Royal Genealogies.
^ Eccl. Hist. I. XXV. and xxvi.
^ V^e should perhaps rather read xsxvlL
176 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 604—
A long time 'afterwards he collected an army at Chester, called
by the Britons Carlegion, and by the just judgment of God, and in
accordance with the prophecy of tlie archbishop St. Augustine,
he slew 1,200 of the British priests who had met to offer up prayers
for the success of the enemy. And thus he destroyed the remainder
of their wicked army.
A.D. 604. Augustine ordained as bishops Mellitus and Justus.
Mellitus was to preach to the province of the East Saxons, When
the East Saxons, with their king Sebert, the nephew of king Aethel-
berht, had received the word of truth by the preaching of Mellitus,
the said king Aethelberht built the church of the apostle in London,
which city was his metropolis. As for Justus, Augustine ordained
him bishop in the city of Dorubrevum, called by the English
Hroveceaster. He also consecrated the presbyter Laurence to
be archbishop in his stead ; and shortly afterwards, to wit, on
Tuesday, the 7th of the kalends of June [26th May], he departed
to the heavenly kingdom.
A.D. 605. The blessed pope Gregory, apostle of the Angles, and
pride of the Romans, after having most gloriously governed the see
of the Roman and Apostolic Church for thirteen years, six months,
and ten days, was translated to the eternal see of the kingdom, on
Friday, the 4th of the ides of March [12th March].
A.D. 606.
A.D. 607. Ceoluulf, king of the West Saxons, waged war against
tlie South Saxons.^
A.D. 608—610.
A.D. 611. King Ceoluulf died. Cynegils, the son of his
brother Ceol, succeeded him, and reigned thirty-two years. He
was the son of Ceol, who was the son of Cutha, Svho was the son
of Kenric, who was the son of Cerdic.
A.D. 612, 613.
A.D. 614. Cynegils and his son Cuichelm marched against the
ritons at Beandune,
and forty-six of them.
A.D. 615.
A.D. 616. Aethelbert, king of Kent, the son of Irmenric, whose
father was Octa, whose father was Oric, surnamed Oisc, wliose
father was Hengst, entered on the joys of the heavenly kingdom,
on the twenty-fourth day of February, in the tifty-sixth year of his
reign, and the twenty-first of his conversion to the faith. He was
succeeded by his son Aedbold, who not only refused to embrace
the Christian faith, but even married his father's widow. Redwald,
king of the East Angles, slew AetheH'rid, king of Deira and Ber-
nicia, in a battle near the river called Idle. Edwin, in accordance
with the prediction whicli he had received, succeeded him, and
drove out the seven sons of Aethelfrid. Sebert, king of the East
Saxons, departing to the heavenly kingdom, left his three sons,
' According to the Annals of Camln-ia, in G13. Soc the Saxon Chron. a.d. 607.
^ A later liand here inserts in A. the following jjassage : — " St. David, al.so
called Dcwi, bislioji of St. David's in Wales, departed to the Lord."
^ This link in the pedigree is omitted iu IJ.
A.D. 627.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 177
who o])stinately remained pagans, to inherit his earthly kingdom.
They immediately began to profess idolatiy, and drove Mellitus,
bishop of London, from their kingdom : lie, however, went to
Kent, and, after consulting with archbishop Laurence, withdrew
into Gaul with Justus, bishop of Rochester. But the kings who
had driven from them this messenger of truth did not long exer-
cise their devilish rites unpunished ; for, going out to battle against
the Gewissi, [West Saxons,] they and all their army perished.
Wlien Laurence was about to follow Mellitus and Justus, Peter,
the chief of the apostles, appeared to him by night, and inflicted
severe stripes on him. The next morning he repaired to king
Eadbald, and showed him the heavy flagellation which he had
received. WTien the king saw it, great fear came upon him ; he
forbad all idolatrous worship, renounced his unlawful marriage,
embraced the faith of Christ, and sent over into Gaul, and recalled
Mellitus and Justus.
A.D. 617—620.
A.D. 621. During the reign of Eadbald, and on the 4th of the
nones of Februaiy [2d Feb.], the blessed archbishop Laurence
departed to the Lord. Mellitus, bishop of London, succeeded
him in the see of Canterbury, and was the third archbishop from
Augustine. Cedd, the brother of Ceadda, succeeded Mellitus in
the bishopric of London,
A.D. 622—624.
A.D. 625. On the 8th of the kalends of May [24th April],
Eadbald being king, archbishop Mellitus died, having ruled over
the church for five years. He was succeeded by Justus, bishop of
Rochester, who consecrated Romanus to be bishop of that see in
his own stead.
A.D. 626. Paulinus,^ a man beloved of God, who had been
sent with others by the blessed Gregory to preach the Gospel in
England, and who was the third bishop of Rochester, was by arch-
bishop Justus consecrated archbishop of the Northumbrians, and
was sent to Edwin, the king of that province, with his intended
wife, a daughter of king Aethelbert, by king Eadbald, brother of
the said virgin.
A.D. 627. An^ assassin named Eomer, sent by Cuichelm, king
of the West Saxons, came to king Edwin on the first day of Easter,
and drawing a dagger from under his garment, made a stab at the
king. But a certain guard named Lilla, who was most devoted to
the king, interposed his body to the blow ; yet so fierce a thrust
had the assailant made, that he wounded the king through the
body of this soldier, whom he slew. On the night of that Easter-
Sunday, the queen bore to the king a daughter, who was baptized
(the first among the Northumbrians to be so) by bishop Paulinus,
on the day of Pentecost, and was named Eanfled.
In the fiftieth year of his age, Penda succeeded to the Mercian
kingdom, and he reigned thirty years : he was the son of Pibba,
who was the son of Crida, who was the son of Cynewald, who was
the son of Cnebba, who was the son of Icel, who was the son of
» A.D. 625. Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. ;x. 2 ^.p. q26. Beda, Hid.
VOL. II. N
178 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. G2S—
Eomer, who was the son of Angengeat, who was the son of Offa,
who was the son of Weremund, who was the son of Wightleag,
who w^as the son of Waga, who was the son of Wothelgeat, who
was the son of Woden.
A.D. 628. 'In the sixteenth year of the emperor HeracUus, and
the fifteenth indiction, Edwin, the most renowned king of the
northern Trans- Humbrian nation, and all his people, accepted the
message of salvation through the preaching of bishop Paulinus,
whom archbishop Justus had sent from Kent. This took place in
the eleventh year of his reign, and about the two hundred and
thirtieth year after the arrival of the Angles in Britain. It was he
who gave to Paulinus the episcopal sec of York. This king received
an increase of temporal power in anticipation of his approaching
conversion, and as an earnest of his share in the heavenly kingdom :
for he, first of all the Angles, subjected to his power the whole of
Britain, Kent only excepted.
At this time pope Honorius refuted by his epistle the error of
the Quartodecimans concerning the observance of Easter, which
had originated with the Hibernian Scots. John, also, who suc-
ceeded his (Honorius's) successor, Severinus, contested the same
point with them ; for before he w^as elected pope, he wrote to them
on the subject of Easter, and on the Pelagian heresy, which had
revived among them.
Kinegils and his son Cuichelm, kings of the West Saxons, fought
with Penda, king of the Mercians, near Cirenceaster, and after-
wards, having made peace and confirmed it, retired.
A.D. 629'— 631.
A.D. 632. Eorpwald, son of king Redwald, whose father was
Titell, whose father was Vuffa, was prevailed on by king Edwin
to renounce idolatiy, and with all his province received the Christian
faith and sacraments ; but a short time afterwards he was slain
by a pagan named Ricbert.
A.D. 633. On the 4th of the ides of October [12th Oct.], the
noble king P]dwin, after reigning gloriously for seventeen years
over the Angles and the Britons, was, in the forty-eighth year of
his age, slain by that very brave man, Penda, the pagan king of the
Mercians, and by Cedwal, king of the Britons, a still worse pagan,
in a very fierce battle fought at Heathfeld. The affairs of the
Northumbrians falling into confusion, Paulinus, in company with
queen Aethclburge, returned by sea to Kent, and was honourably
received by arclibishop Honorius and king Eadbald.
A.D. 634. Ccadwala, king of the Britons, destroyed king Osric,
the cousin of king Edwin, with his whole army, and then slew
king Eanfrith, the son of king Ethelfrith, as he was coming to him
to sue for peace : on whose death, his brother Oswald advanced
with an army, small indeed, but strong in their faith in Christ, and
slew the infamous British chief, together with his immense army,
' A.D. 627. Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. xiv.
* In A. a difi'ereut hand has added the following passage : — " Pope Honorius
sent the pall to Paidinus, who afterwards, in the province of Lindissi, cousecratud
Honorius, the successor of Justus, as archbishop of Canterbury."
A.D. 640.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 179
which he boasted nothing could resist, and assumed the government
of both kingdoms ; and he afterwards received the submission of
all the nations and provinces of Britain. At that time the nation
of the West Saxons, Cinegils being their king, embraced Christi-
anity, the word of God being preached to them by bishop Birin.
Saint Wilfrid was born.
A.D. 635. King Oswald sent to the elders of the Scots, request-
ing that they would send bishops to him. Bishop Aidan was sent ;
by whom, and the said most renowned and holy king Oswald, the
church of Christ was first founded and established in the province
of Bernicia. By means of the preaching of Birin (who was sent
into England for that purpose by pope Honorius) in the West-
Saxon province, king Cinegils and all his people became believers :
the most victorious king Oswald was his sponsor at the baptismal
font. From those kings the said bishop received the city of Dorcic
[Dorchester] for the pui-pose of making it an episcopal see.
A.D. 636. Sigebert, brother of Eorpwald, king of the East
Angles, a man in all respects most christian and most learned, soon
after he began to reign, was careful to make his whole province
participate in the faith and sacraments. Bishop Felix, a Bur-
gundian, who had become very intimate with Sigebert, king of the
East Angles, while he was an exile in Gaul, and had come over to
England with him after the death of Eorpwald, and was made bishop
of the East Angles, encouraged his designs, and brought the province
over to the faith of Christ ; and receiving an episcopal see in the city
of Dummoc [Dunwich], presided for a long time over that race.
At that time there came from Ireland to the province of the
East Angles a most holy man named Fursey, who, being honour-
ably entertained by the aforesaid king, preached there the word of
life, and turned many unbelievers to Christ ; and he aftenvards
built a splendid monastery.
Meanwhile, the king, having abandoned the cares of state to his
kinsman Egric, retired to the monastery which he had prepared
for himself, and receiving the tonsure, was for a long time a
devout soldier of the eternal King. But when Penda, the pagan
king of Mercia, marched to battle against the East Angles, he was
most reluctantly drawn out of the monastery, and against his will
led to the engagement, where, with a staff" in his hands, he was
slain, as was also king Egric. They were succeeded in the king-
dom by Anna, the son of Eni. Quichelm, the son of king Cinegils,
was baptized by bishop Birin, in the city of Dorcic [Dorchester],
and died in the same year.
A.D. 637, 638.
A.D. 639. Bishop Birin baptized Cuthred, the son of king
Cuichelm, in the city of Dorcic [Dorchester], and stood sponsor
for him at the font of regeneration.
A.D. 640. Eadbald, king of Kent, departed this life in the
twenty-fifth year of his reign, leaving his kingdom to his son
Erconbert. He was the first of the English kings who ordered the
idols to be abandoned and destroyed throughout his kingdom,
and the fast of Lent to be observed. His daughter Ercongota,
N 2
180 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 641-
by his queen. Saint Sexburg, was a virgin of pre-eminent
virtue.
A.D. 641.
A.D. 642. The most Christian king Oswald, nephew' of king
Edwin, and son of king Actlielfrith, was slain in the thirty-eighth year
of his age, and the ninth of his reign, by Penda, the pagan king of
Mercia, in a severe battle fought at a place called Maserfeld : he
was humble and courteous, and generous to strangers and the poor.
A.D. 643. His brother Osuiu, a young man about thirty years
of age, succeeded to his kingdom shortly afterwards, and by dint
of great exertion, retained it for twenty- eight years. In the same
year, Cenwalch, son of king Cinegils, assumed the government of
the West-Saxon kingdom, and retained it for thirty-one years. He
built the cathedral church at Winchester.
, A.D. 644. On the 6th of the ides of October [10th Oct.],
Paulinus, who had been formerly bishop of York, but was then
bishop of Rochester, died, having held the bishopric eighteen
years, two months, and twenty-one days. Ithamar was ordained
in his place by archbishop Honorius, the successor of Justus.
A.D. 645. Cenwalch, king of the West Saxons, being attacked
and dethroned by Penda, king of the Mercians, for having repu-
diated his wife, who was Penda's sister, fled to Anna, king of tlic
East Angles. In this year, too, king Oswine, son of Osric, who
was Edwin's cousin, began to reign in the province of Deira, and
he reigned seven years. He was of a handsome countenance, and
tall, pleasant of speech, courteous in his manners, openhanded to
all ; as a king most humble, and beloved of all men.
A.D. 646. King Cenwalch was baptized by bishop Felix in
East Anglia.
A.D. 647. Felix, the first bishop of the East Angles, died.
His deacon, Thomas, was ordained in his stead, by archbishop
Honorius. On the death of Thomas, in the fifth year of his
bishopric, his place was filled by Boniface.
A.D. 648. King Cenwalch returned from East Anglia to West
Saxony, and in the same year made a grant of a large portion of
liis territory to his nephew, Cuthred, son of king Cuichelm.
A.D. 649.
A.D. 650. Aegelberht, a Gaul by birth, was on the death of
Birin made bishop of the West-Saxon province by king Cenwalch,
and he presided over it as bishop for many years.
A.D. 651. Saint Cuthbert entered the monastery of Mailrose.
being received by the most holy man Eata, abbot of that church.
On the 13th of the kalends of September [20th Aug.], in the
seventh year of his reign, Oswine, king of Deira, a man of the
deepest humility and great piety, having been betrayed by carl
Hunwald, whom he had considered a trustworthy friend, was slain
in a detestable manner by order of king Osuiu, and by the hands of
his caldorman Aethelwin. lie was succeeded by Aethelwald, son of
king Oswald. After Oswiu's death, and on the 2d of the kalends
of September [31st Aug.], bishop Aidan died. Cuthbert, an
' Sec the genealogy of the NurthuiiiLrian kings.
A.D. 655.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 181
ingenuous youth, saw his spirit borne to heaven by angels. Finan,
who was ordained and sent by the Scots, was made bishop in his
stead.
A.D. 652.
A.D. 653. In the twenty-fifth year of his age, Benedict, sur-
named Biscop, an Englishman of noble birth, and minister of king
Oswiu, leaving his home, his kindred, his possessions, and his
native country, went to Rome and returned full of learning.
Honorius, archbishop of Canterbury, died on the 2d of the
kalends of Oct. [30th Sept.] A year and six months afterwards,
Deusdedit, the sixth from Augustine, succeeded him in the arch-
bishopric, being ordained thereto by Ithamar, bishop of Rochester,
on the 7th of the kalends of April [26th March], and ruled over
the church for nine years, four months, and two days. The Mid-
land Angles, under their prince Peada, son of Penda, king of the
Mercians, received the faith and sacraments of Christ ; the prince
himself first of all, with his attendants who had come with him,
being baptized by bishop Finan, in Northumbria, in the presence
of king Oswiu. Afterwards, on his return home, the rest of his
people were baptized by Cedd, Adda, Betti, and Diuma, four
priests whom he had brought with him from that province. At
that time, Sigebert, king of the East Saxons, successor of Sebert,
surnamed the Little, was baptized by Finan, bishop of the
Northumbrians, having been converted to Christianity by the
arguments of king Oswiu, while on a visit to him in the province
of Bernicia. On his departure home, king Oswi sent with him
that man of God, Cedd, the priest, to preach the word to the
East Saxons. There he gathered together a large church to the
Lord. Afterwards, on the suggestion of bishop Finan, he went
home and was ordained bishop by him, and then returned to the
province [of the East Saxons], and carried out with more ample
authority the work which he had begun. Once when he was on a
visit to the Northumbrian province for the purpose of preaching,
Aethelwald, king of Deira, son of king Oswald, requested him to
accept a grant of land for the purpose of building a monastery.
In accordance with the king's wish, he chose a site for a monastery
in a place now called Leastingaig, and when it was built he furnished
it with religious institutions. In the meantime, king Sigebert, at
the instigation of the enemy of all good men, was slain by his own
kindred ; the reason given being that he was too much in the habit
of sparing his enemies, and ready on their own petition easily to
forgive their offences. He was succeeded by Suithelm, the son of
Sexbald.
A.D. 654. Anna, king of the East Angles, was slain by king
Penda, and was succeeded by his brother Aethelhere. St. Botulph
built a monastery at a place called Ikanho.
A.D. 655. ^ Penda, the perfidious king of Mercia, the slayer of
Sigebert, Egric, and Anna, kings of the East Angles, and also of
Edwin and Oswald, kings of the Northumbrians, invaded Bernicia
at the head of thirty legions, commanded by as many noblemen,
for the purpose of crushing king Oswiu. With only one legion, but
182 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 656—
trusting in Christ as their leader, Oswiu and his son Alhfrid met
them at a place called Winwidfeld. The battle commenced, and
the pagans were routed and cut to pieces, and nearly all the thirty
auxiliary chiefs were slain : among these was Aethelhere, brother
and successor of Anna, king of the East Angles, \vho was the mover
of the war : his brother Aethelwald succeeded to the kingdom.
King Oswiu having obtained the victory, made an oifering to God
of endowments for building twelve monasteries, and also of
his daughter Aelfleda, devoting her to perpetual virginity. She
entered the monastery of Heortesig, whereof Hild was then abbess.
King Oswiu fought this battle in the district of Loidis, on the
17th of the kalends of December [15th Nov.], in the thirteenth
year of his reign, and he converted the Mercians to Christianity.
In his reign Diuma, whom w^e have mentioned before, was made
first bishop of the province of Mercia, and of the Lindisfaras and
the Middle Angles ; the second was Ceollach, a Scot. Oswiu
reigned three years over this nation [the Mercians], and the other
people of the southern provinces. He brought the Picts under the
dominion of the Angles, and gave the kingdom of the southern
Mercians to his kinsman, Peada, the son of king Penda.
A.D. 656. At the feast of Easter, king Peada w^as foully slain
by the treacherous connivance of his wife.
A.D. 657.
A.D. 658. Cenwalch, king of the West Saxons, fought against
the Britons, at Peonn, and drove them defeated as far as Pedrida
[the Parret]. The blessed abbess Hild began to build a monastery
at a place called Streoneshalh [Wliitby] : the daughter of king
Oswiu was a nun there, and afterwards became superior thereof.
Her mother, queen Eanfleda, built a monasteiy known as In
Gethng, on the spot where king Oswine, the son of her cousin
king Osric's father, was unrighteously slain, and made the godly
Trumhere, who was a relative of the deceased king, abbot thereof.
A.D. 659. Immin, Eaba, and Eadberht, ealdormen of the
Mercians, rebelled against king Oswiu, setting up as king Wulfer,
the son of Penda, a youth whom they had kept in concealment ;
and so together with their king they joyfully became servants of
Christ. This king's first bishop was the aforesaid Trumhere, the
second was Jarumann, the third was Cedd, and the fourth
Winfrid.
A.D. 660. King Cenwalch divided the West-Saxon province
into two dioceses, and gave the city of Winchester as bishop
Wina's episcopal see. Bishop Agelbert was grievously ofiended
at this, and retiring into Gaul, was made bishop of Paris. King
Egfrid, son of king Oswiu, married Atheldritha, daughter of Anna,
king of the East Angles.
A.D. 661. Cuthred, son of king Cuichclm, and grandson of
king Cinegils, and also nephew of the kings Cenwalch, and
Centuuin, and the undcr-king Cenbriht, who was the great grand-
son of king Ceaulin, and father of king Ceadwala, died. Wulfer,
king of the Mercians, laid waste Ascesdun, and afterwards took
the Isle of Wight. The latter he gave to his godson Aethehvold.
A.D. 664.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 183
king of the South Saxons, and also the province of the Mavori
[Meanvara] in the nation of the West Saxons. Finan, bishop of
the Northumbrians, died, and was succeeded by Colmann, who was
also sent from Ireland.
A.D. 662, 663.
A.D. 664. In the thirtieth year from the foundation of the
Scotch bishoprics which existed in the Northumbrian province,
and in the twenty-second year of the reign of king Oswiu, a con-
troversy having arisen in that province concerning Easter, and the
tonsure, and other ecclesiastical aifairs, it was arranged that a
synod should be held in the monastery of Streoneshealh, of which
Hild was then the abbess. The following persons came to the
synod : — King Oswiu and his son Alhfrid, who succeeded king
Aethelwald, the son of king Oswald, bishop Colman and his clerks,
Agelbert, bishop of the West Saxons, with the elders Agatho and
Wilfrid, Cedda, bishop of the East Saxons, and the abbess Hild
with her attendants. The debate between them was long, but at last
all, both high and low, renounced the less accurate observances of the
Scots, and hastened to conform themselves to what they had ascer-
tained to be better. The dispute being ended, and the differences
being determined, Agelbert returned home, and Cedda, forsaking
the observances of the Scots, returned to his see. Colman, whom
all the orthodox considered as vanquished, returned to Scotland to
his own people. On his departure homewards, Tuda was made
bishop of the Northumbrians in his place, but he held the office
only for a short time. Eata, a most reverend man, abbot of the
monastery of Mailrose, and who at the request of king Alhfrid had
founded the monastery of Ripon, was made abbot of the brethren
of Lindisfarn, and removed the blessed Cuthbert from the mona-
stery of Mailrose to the island of Lindisfarn. In this year, about
the tenth hour of the third day of May, occurred an eclipse of the
sun. A sudden pestilence followed, which snatched from the
world Tuda, the priest of the Lord. King Alhfrid, with the advice
and consent of his father, king Oswiu, sent the venerable presbyter
Wilfrid, abbot of the monastery of Ripon, to the king of France,
requesting that he might be ordained a bishop, he being at that
time about thirty years of age. But the king sent him to be
ordained by Agelbert, who had left Britain and been made bishop
of Paris ; and Agelbert and eleven other bishops met together for
the purpose of consecrating him a bishop, and performed the
ceremony with great honour. Deusdedit, sixth archbishop, count-
ing from Augustine, died on the second of the ides of July [14th
July]. Erconbert, king of Kent, died on the same day of the
same year, leaving the kingdom to his son Egbert. The holy
Ceadda, brother of the holy bishop Cedda, and abbot of the mona-
stery of Leastingaeig, was by command of king Oswiu consecrated
bishop of York by Wine, bishop of Winchester, Wilfrid being still
absent beyond sea. On the 'fifth of the ides of October [11th
Oct.], Athelburg, the God-beloved mother of the monastery
of Bercing, subsequently first abbess of the same place, was
' Tliis date does not occur in Beda.
184 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND, [a.D. 6G5—
delivered from the bondage of the flesh : she was the sister of the
wonderfully holy man, Erconwald, afterwards bishop of London ;
her conversation was such that no one who knew her could doubt
that when she departed this life she entered into the heavenly
kingdom. Heldilith, a handmaid well beloved of God, succeeded
her as abbess. A short time after this, Cedd, bishop of the East
Saxons, went to his monastery of Leastingaig, and falling ill there
died on the seventh of the kalends of November [26th Oct.].
Aethelwald, king of the East Angles, having died, was succeeded by
Aldulf, whose mother was Hereswith, sister of St. Hild the abbess :
their father M^as Hereric, whose father was Eadfrith, whose father
was Edwine. Bosilius, abbot of the monasteiy of Mailrose, a monk
of exalted virtue, a man of prophetic spirit, and a priest beloved of
God, borne down by a deadly disease, entered on the splendours of
eternal day. Sigere, king of the East Saxons, and a portion of his
people, apostatised from the faith. When Wulfcre, king of the
Mercians, heard this, he sent bishop Jarumann, Trumhere's suc-
cessor, to correct the error. However, Sebbi, the king's associate,
and coheir in the kingdom, together with all his people, presented
the faith which he had embraced.
A.D. 665. Benedict, surnamed Biscop, went again to Rome in
the time of pope Vitalian, and some months afterwards came to the
island of Lerins. He devoted himself to the monks, received
the tonsure, and under the guidance of the abbot served God for
two years according to the regular discipline.
A.D. 666. Saint Aldelm was ordained abbot of Malmsbury, in
the church of the apostles Peter and Paul, by the blessed Leu-
therius, fourth bishop of the West Saxons. Wina, bishop of
Winchester, was driven from his see by king Cenwalch, and retiring
to Wulfer, king of the Mercians, was by him made bishop of
London, and he remained so during the rest of his life.
A.D. 667. The most noble English kings, Oswiu, of the pro-
vince of Northumbria, and Ecgberht, of Kent, with the approbation
of the holy English church, sent a priest named Wihard, one of the
clergy of archbishop Deusdedit, to Rome for the purpose of being
ordained bishop. But on his arrival at Rome, death snatched him
away before he could be consecrated to the episcopate. Ceadda,
bishop of York, governed the church with power for the space of
three years. He afterwards withdrew to the superintendence of
his monastery at Leastingaig, and Wilfrid was appointed to the
bishopric of the entire province of Northumbria.
A.D. 668. Biscop, surnamed Benedict, went to Rome for the
third time. There was at that time in Rome a monk named
Theodore, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, a man well versed both in
secular and ecclesiastical learning, thoroughly conversant in Greek
and Latin, of unspotted character, and sixty-six years old; having
been ordained archbisliop on Sunday' the 7th of the kalends of
April [26th March], he was by pope Vitalian sent into Britain,
in company with abbot Adrian, and under the care of Biscop, the
latter being a wise and energetic man.
' Namely, the fifth Sunday in Lent.
A.D. 672.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 185
A.D. 669. On Sunday the 6th of the kalends of June [27th
May] ai'chbishop Theodore arrived in Kent, and committed the
abbatial care of the abbacy of the monastery of St. Peter the
apostle to Benedict, surnamed Biscop. Soon aftenvards he made
a progress through the whole island, ordained bishops in proper
places, and at length completed what was defective in Ceadda's
ordination after the catholic manner. In the city of Rochester,
where the see had been long vacant by the death of Damianus, he
ordained Putta, a man skilled in ecclesiastical discipline ; and on
the death of Jarumann not long afterwards, he, at the request of
king Wulfer and with the consent of king Oswiu, appointed Ceadda
to be bishop over the INIercians and the Lindisfaras ; Ceadda obedi-
ently undertook the office, and devoted himself to the administration
of it in rectitude of life. Moreover, king Wulfer gave him fifty hides
of land for the purpose of building a monastery at a place called
At Bearuwe.
A.D. 670. Oswiu, king of the Northumbrians, fell sick, and
died on the 15th of the kalends of March [15th Feb.], in the
fifty-eighth year of his age, leaving his son Egfrid heir to the
kingdom. King Cenwalch and the West Saxons requested
Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, to consecrate as their bishop
Leutherius, nephew of Agilbert, bishop of Paris ; he was accordingly
consecrated at Winchester, and was sole bishop for seven years.
A.D. 671. There was a very great destruction amongst the birds.
The venerable abbot Benedict, surnamed Biscop, having been for
two years abbot of the monastery of St. Peter the apostle, went for
the third time from Britain to Rome, with the permission of arch-
bishop Theodore. He was succeeded in the government of the
monastery by abbot Adrian (whom we have before noticed), an
African by birth, deeply versed in sacred literature, and a perfect
master of Latin and Greek.
A.D. 672. Cenwalch, king of the West Saxons, died in the
thirtieth year of his reign, according to the English Chronicle ;
his wife queen Sexburg reigned after him for the space of one
year ; but according to ^ Beda " subreguli " held the kingdom,
which was divided between them for about ten years. Aetheldrith,
queen of the Northumbrians, for a long time earnestly importuned
king Egfrid to allow her to abandon the cares of the world, and to
serve Christ her King in some monastery ; her request being at
last, though with difficulty, complied with, she entered the monas-
tery- of the holy abbess Aebba, sister of kings Oswald and Oswiu,
and aunt of king Egfrid, and received the veil at the hands of
bishop Wilfrid. Bishop Ceadda, being much debilitated, but pre-
pared for death by receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord,
entered his eternal rest on the 6th of the nones of March [2d
March], having presided over the church in the province of Mercia
with great glory for two years and a half. As he was passing out
of the world, the most reverend father Egberht, who had been his
fellow-scholar in L-eland, saw the spirit of bishop Cedd, Ceadda's
brother, descend from heaven with a company of angels, and
' See Eccl. Hist. IV. sii. = Namely, at Coldingham, in Berwickshire.
1B6 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 673—
return tliithcr, bearing with them his spirit. His deacon, Winfrid,
was ordained by Theodore to be bishop in his stead. Benedict
Biscop returned from Rome, and on his arrival in Britain went to
his own province and native place. He visited Egfrid, king of the
Northumbrians, who immediately granted him seventy hides of
land, in order that he might build a monastery at the mouth of the
river Wir.
A.D. G73. Egbriht, king of Kent, died in the month of July, in
the ninth year of his reign ; he was succeeded by his brother
Hlothere, who reigned eleven years and seven months. On the
24th day of September, the first indiction, Theodore, archbishop of
Canterbury, convened a council at a place called Heortford. To
this council Wilfrid, bishop of the Northumbrians, sent deputies ;
Putta, bishop of Rochester, Leutherius, bishop of the West Saxons,
and Winfrid, bishop of the Mercian province, came in person ;
they were joined by Bisi, bishop of the East Angles, and successor
of Boniface, whom we have mentioned before ; he was a very holy
and devout man, and had been ordained by Theodore not long
previously ; being prevented by his great infirmities from fulfilling
the duties of his office, two bishops, Aecci and Badwine, were in
his lifetime consecrated in his stead. Saint Aetheldrith was made
abbess in the district called Elge [Ely], where having built a
monastery, she commenced, as the virgin mother of virgins dedi-
cated to God, a life of heavenly doctrine and practice.
A.D, 674. In this year, according to the English Chronicle,
Aescuuine began to reign over the West Saxons ; he was the son
of Cenfus, who was the son of Cenferth, who was the son of
Cuthgils, who was the son of Ceolwulf, who was the son of Cynric,
who was the son of Cerdic. * Ireland, the island of saints, was
considered to be entirely full of holy and remarkable men. Biscop
[^ built a monastery] at the mouth of the river Wir in the second
indiction.
A.D. 675. Wulfere, king of the Mercians, and Aescuuine, king
of the West Saxons, fought a battle at a place called Bidanheafd.
In the same year, being the seventeenth of his reign, the said
Wulfere entered the heavenly kingdom ; he was the first of the
Mercian kings who received the faith and the washing of holy
regeneration ; he abolished and thoroughly eradicated the worship
of idols from all parts of his dominions, caused the name of Christ
to be preached in every corner of his kingdom, and built churches
in many places. His queen was Saint Eormengild, the daughter
of Erconbcrht, king of Kent, and of his queen. Saint Sexburg, the
latter being daughter of Anna, king of tlie East Angles, and sister
of Saint Aetheldrith ; by her he had a daughter. Saint Werburg, a
virgin of exemplary virtues, who on her father's death renounced
the world, and became a nun in the monastery of St. Aetheldritli,
her mother's aunt, where by the help of God she 'wrought many
miracles. When the report of her sanctity reached the ears of
her uncle, king Aethelred, he made her abbess over several monas-
1 This sentence ia from Marianus Scotus.
'^ The.se words, necessary to comjilete the iicusc, are added from Lcda.
A.D. 676.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 187
teries of virgins devoted to God ; living with and among these
according to the rule, and devoutly providing for their necessities
in all things, she passed the rest of her days as a good soldier of
Christ ; and dying in one of her monasteries called Triccingeham,
as a sanctified virgin, she was thus embraced and espoused by the
heavenly Bridegroom. Her corpse was taken, pursuant to her
desire, to the monastery called Heanbirig, and there buried with
great pomp ; it remained uncorrupted up to the time when the
pagan Danes with cruel slaughter barbarously depopulated and laid
waste the English provinces. King Wulfer's brothers were, Aethel-
red, who succeeded to his kingdom ; Peada, who (as we briefly
mentioned) was king of the South Mercians ; and Merewald, who
reigned in the western division of Mercia. Merewald's queen was
Saint Eormenburg, a daughter of king Ermenred ; she bore him
three daughters, namely Milburg, saint Mildrith, and saint Milgith,
and one son named Merefin, a youth of transcendent piety.
Archbishop Theodore being offended with Winfrid, bishop of the
Mercians, on account of some act of disobedience, deposed him
from his bishopric, and appointed in his stead bishop Saxulf, the
builder and abbot of the monastery of Burh, in the Girwian
territory ; the deposed Winfrid retired to his monastery of Bearuue,
and there ended his days in a most exemplary manner. He then
also appointed Erconwald to be bishop in the city of London over
the East Saxons, at that time presided over by Saebba and Sighere ;
the see of his predecessor "Wine was also in that same place.
Erconwald's life and conversation, both before and after he was
made bishop, are reputed to have been most saintly. He built
two monasteries, one for himself and the other for his sister ; his
own was called Chertsey monastery, which with the generous
assistance of the "subregulus" Frithewold, he filled with monks
and richly endowed ; his sister's was called Barking, and she was
made its first abbess. Waldhere succeeded Erconwald, and he
was succeeded by Inguald, who is the last bishop of London noticed
by Beda' in his History of the Angles. Hildelith succeeded
Aethelburg, the sister of saint Erconwald, to whom saint Aldelm
addressed his book " On Virginity." In king Edgar's time Hilde-
lith was succeeded by abbess Wulfhedis.
A.D. 676. Benedict Biscop went to Rome for the fourth time,
accompanied by the monk Ceolfrid ; at the request, and with the
permission and consent of king Egfrid, he brought back with
him a bull of privileges from pope Agatho, by which he secured
for ever the security and immunities of his monastery. He
also brought into Britain John, chief chanter of St. Peter the
apostle, to teach in his monastery the course of singing for the
whole year.
Escuuine, king of the West Saxons, died, and was succeeded by
Centuuine, the son of Cynegils, who was the son of Ceol. Aethelred,
king of the Mercians, devastated Kent, and involved the city of
Rochester in the general destruction; when Putta, its bishop,
heard thereof, he went to Saxulf, bishop of the Mercians, and
' See Eccl. Hi,st. V. xxiii.
188 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 077—
being presented by him to a certain church, ended his days there
in peace. Theodore consecrated Quichelra to be bishop in Putta's
place, but on Quichelm leaving the bishopric shortly afterwards on
account of its poverty, he substituted Gebmund as its bishop.
Leutherius, bishop of the West Saxons, dying, Haeddi was conse-
crated by Theodore in the city of London, and succeeded him
as bishop. Saint Cuthbert betook himself to an anchoret's life of
meditation.
A.D. '677. In the month of August, in the eighth year of
Egfrid's reign, a comet appeared. The same year a dissension
arose between king Egfrid and the most reverend bishop Wilfrid,
and the bishop was expelled from his see ; and two bishops were
appointed in his place ; namely Bosa, a reverend monk of the
monasteiy of the abbess Hild, to preside over the province of Deira ;
and Eata, the venerable abbot of the monastery of Mailrose, to
preside over the province of Bernicia; the former having his episcopal
seat in the city of York, and the latter in the church of Hagustald
[Hexham], or else of Lindisfarne ; they were both promoted from
their monasteries to the dignity of the episcopate. Eathed also
was ordained with them to be bishop in the province of the Lin-
disfaras, of which king Egfrid had very lately obtained possession,
having defeated and put to flight Wulfere; he was the first separate
bishop which this province had ; the second was Aethelwine ; the
third was Eadgar ; the fourth Cynebert : before Eathed its bishop
was Saxulf, who was at the same time bishop of the Mercians and
Midland Angles; so that after his expulsion from Lindsey, he con-
tinued to preside over those provinces. Eathed, Bosa, and Eata,
were ordained at York by archbishop Theodore.
On his expulsion from the bishopric, Wilfrid set out on his
journey to Rome, but while at sea the west wind drove him over
to Friesland, where he was the first to preach the Gospel, and con-
verted many thousand barbarians to the faith, passing the winter
there to his great satisfaction in the midst of God's newly acquired
subjects.
A.D. 678. The holy Beda was born.
A.D. 679. A severe battle was fought near the river Trent,
between Egfrid, king of the Northumbrians, and Acthclred, king
of the Mercians ; and king Alfwine, brother of king Egfrid (whose
sister Ostrith was king Aethelrcd's wife), was killed there.
Bishop Wilfrid left Friesland and went to Rome ; and having
been by the sentence of pope Benedict and several bishops declared
innocent, and worthy of his bishopric, he returned to Britain and
converted the province of the South Saxons to Christianity. On
the 9th of the kalends of July [23d June] the holy virgin Aethel-
drith, abbess of the monastery of Ely, was taken away to the Lord,
while she was in the midst of her flock; her sister Sexburg
succeeded her in her office.
A.D. 680. In the sixth year of the reign of Aethelred, king of
the Mercians, and the eighth indiction, archbishop Theodore con-
vened an assembly of very many bishops and learned men at a
' According to Beda (Eccl. Hist. IV. xii.) this occurred in 678.
A.D. 68i.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 189
place called Haethfeld, in order that he might become acquainted
with their several doctrines ; this he did in obedience to the com-
mands of pope Agatho, transmitted by John the chief chanter, who
was present at the synod. Under this king, Mercia was divided
into five dioceses, and Tadfrith, a very learned man, belonging to
the monastery of the abbess Hild, was chosen bishop of the province
of the Hwiccas, but he died suddenly before he could be ordained;
wherefore the reverend man Bosel was shortly afterwards ordained
bishop of that province. Hild, the devout servant of Christ, abbess
of the monastery of Streoneshalh [Whitby], and daughter of king
Edwin's grandson Haereric, having finished her heavenly labours
upon earth, was removed from this world to receive the reward of
eternal life; she passed from death to the Lord on the 15th of
the kalends of December [17th Nov.], in the sixty-sixth year
of her age. She was the builder of the two monasteries of
Streoneshealh [Whitby] and Hacanos [Hackness], wherein she
inculcated the observance of justice, piety, chastity, and other vir-
tues ; but especially peace and charity. In this abbess's monastery
dwelt Cedmon, that celebrated monk, who was a poet, not through
human instruction, but by God's inspiration. The " subregulus"
Oshere, by the permission of his lord Aethelred, the renowned
king of the Mercians, gave to Frithewald, a monk under bishop
Winfrid, whom we have mentioned before, thirty manors at a
place called Rippel, in order that he might there build a monastery
according to ecclesiastical discipline.
A.D. 681. When the ingenious boy Beda was seven years of
age, he was delivered by his relations to the reverend abbot Biscop,
for the purpose of being educated. Three years after the removal
of Wilfrid, archbishop Theodore ordained Tunbert to the church of
Hexham (Eata remaining at that of Lindisfarne), and Trumwine in
the territory of the Picts. Eathed having returned from Lindsey,
because king Aethelred had recovered possession of that province,
he appointed him to the church of Ripon.
A.D. 682. Centwine, king of the West Saxons, drove the West
Britons at the sword's-point as far as the sea. The most reverend
abbot Benedict Biscop selected from his monastery his cousin
Easterwini, a priest of great holiness, and appointed him to be
abbot of the said monastery. For the redemption of his soul, king
Egfrid gave forty more hides of land to abbot Benedict. Twenty-
two monks being sent there under the government of abbot Ceolfrid,
who was in everything his firm coadjutor, he, at the king's com-
mand, built the monastery of St. Paul the apostle at a place called
Girvaim [Jarrow].
A.D. 683.
A.D. 684. Egfrid, king of the Northumbrians, sending his
general Berht into Ireland with an army, cruelly pillaged that
harmless nation. At a synod, assembled in the presence of king
Egfrid, at a place called Twiford, near the river Alne, archbishop
Theodore presiding, Cuthberht was unanimously chosen to the
bishopric of the church of Hexham ; but inasmuch as he preferred
the appointment to the church of Lindisfarne, he was permitted to
190 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 6S5—
assume it, Eata returning to Hexham. For the fifth time, Benedict
Biscop left Britain for Rome.
A.D. 685. Lothere, king of Kent, was wounded in a battle
against the South Saxons, and died while his wounds were being
cured, on the second day of the week, on the eighth of the ides of
February [6th Feb.], in the twelfth year of his reign. He was
succeeded by Eadric, his brother Ecgbert's son, who reigned one
year and a half. Britain was visited by a wide-spreading and very
deadly pestilence ; on the nones of March [7th March], it carried
off abbot Eastenvini, beloved of God; in whose stead, the brethren,
under the advice of abbot Ceolfrid, chose for their abbot Sigefrid,
deacon of the said monastery, a man of wonderful piety, and deeply
versed in the knowledge of the Scripture. Biscop returned from
Rome, laden, as usual, \vith presents of things to be used in the
ceremonies of the church, and with foreign acquisitions. At the
feast of Easter [26th March], the ordination of St.Cuthberht was
completed at York, in the presence of king Ecgfrid ; seven bishops,
with archbishop Theodore at their head, assisting at his conse-
cration. On Saturday, the 13th of the kalends of June [20tli
May], in the fortieth year of his age, and fifteenth of his reign,
king Ecgfrid was slain, while rashly leading an army to lay waste
the territory of the Picts. He was succeeded by his brother Alhfrid,
a man deeply read in the Scriptures : the most holy bishop Eata
dying at the commencement of this reign, John, a man of holiness,
was appointed to the bishopric of Hexham. Bishop Trumwine,
one of the holiest of God's servants, retired with his people from
the territory of the Picts, and took up his abode at Streoneshealh
[Whitby], where he resided many years, to the great benefit not only
of himself, but of many others : there too he died and entered the
kingdom of heaven. Ceadwalla, a very brave youth of the royal
race of the Gewissi [West Saxons], came unexpectedly with his
army upon 'Aethelwalh, king of the South Saxons, and slew him;
but was shortly afterwards driven back by the king's generals,
Berthun and Aethelhun, who tlienceforth ruled the province.
Centwine, king of the West Saxons, departed tliis life, and was
succeeded in the kingdom by the aforesaid Ceadwalla, who was the
son of Cynebriht, who was the son of Cedde, wlio was the son of
Cutha, who was the son of Ceaulin, who was the son of Cynric,
who was the son of Cerdic.
A.D. 686. Bishop Wilfrid, after having been long exiled, re-
sumed his see and bishopric of the church of Hexham, at the
invitation of king Alhfrid. On the death of the holy and humble
Bosa, John succeeded him as bishop of York. Ceadwalla, king of
the Gewissi [West Saxons], slew i3eorthun, leader of the Soutli
Saxons, and reduced that province to a state of servitude ; after-
wards, he and his brother Mul devastated Kent. The same king
Ceadwalla afterwards took the Isle of Wight, which, up to that
time, had been wholly and entirely given up to idolatiy ; and
although he himself was not yet regenerated in Christ, yet he gave
one-fourth part of the island, consisting of three hundred hides of
' This is the reading of A. ; the printed editions and B. read ^'Ethelwald.
A.D. 689.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 191
land, to bishop Wilfrid for the Lord's service ; Wilfrid accepted the
donation, and, entrusting the management of it to his nephew,
'Berwin, appointed ministers of the Word in the island.
The godly bishop, Cuthbert, after having passed two years in his
bishopric, returned to the island of Fame, by the direction of a
message from God. On the death of Edric, king of Kent, that
kingdom was for some time wasted by kings of doubtful title, or by
foreigners.
A.D. 687. In Kent, the people of that province most in-
humanly threw Mul, brother of Ceadwalla, king of the West
Saxons, and twelve of his soldiers, into the fire, and burnt them :
thereat, king Ceadwalla being enraged, again devastated Kent. On
the fourth day of the week, in the 13th of the kalends of April
[Wednesday, 20th March] , the fifteenth indiction, the most reverend
father Cuthbert died in the island of Fame ; but his body was
taken to the island of Lindisfarne, and buried in the church;
the duties of his episcopal office were performed by Wilfrid, bishop
of Hexham, for the space of one year. The venerable Aethelwald
succeeded the godly Cuthbert in his life of solitude : how worthy
he was, and how excellent was his life, is shown by the numberless
miracles wrovight at his hands. ^At this time flourished St. Kilian,
bishop of Wurtzburg, a Scot of Irish birth.
A.D. 688. On the departure of Ceadwalla to Rome, he was
succeeded in the kingdom by Ini of the royal race, Svho built the
monastery of Glaestingabirig [Glastonbury] . His father was Cenred,
whose father was Ceolwald, whose father was Cutha, whose father
was Cuthwine, whose father was Ceaulin.
Eadberht was ordained in the place of Cuthbert ; he was a man
remarkable for his acquaintance with the sacred Scriptures, and his
obedience to the divine ordinances, and especially celebrated for his
almsgiving. Abbots Benedict Biscop and Sigefrid, worn out by
long-continued sickness, both became bed-ridden. Shortly after-
wards, Benedict took counsel with the brethren, and summoned
Ceolfrid, abbot of the monastery of St. Paul the apostle, and on the
4th of the ides of May [12th May], in the first indiction, made him
abbot of both monasteries. On ^Saturday, the 11th of the kalends
of September [22d Aug.], in the same year, the venerable and
God-beloved abbot, Sigefrid, was introduced into the enjoyment of
eternal rest, and entered the mansions of the heavenly kingdom
amid the sacrifices of perpetual praise.
A.D. 689. On the 2d of the ides of January [12th Jan.],
Benedict Biscop, a repressor of vice, and a notable example of
virtue, entered into the repose and splendour of eternal life, after
having endured the purification of a long illness, during which he
was always offering his thanksgiving to God. On the holy Saturday
before Easter Sunday [10th April], Ceadwalla, king of the West
1 An error for " Bernuin." 2 tj^j^ p^jg^age is from Marianus.
^ In the MS. B. the passage reads thus : — " Who completed the monastery-
called Abingdon, which had been begun by Cissa, a noble, and king Ceadwala."
* This word " Saturday," omitted in the editions, is now given from A. The
dates correspond.
192 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 690—
Saxons, was baptized, Sergius being then pope : and he died on tlie
third day of tlie week '[Tuesday], the '12th of the kalends of May
[20th April], the second indiction, being about thirty years of age.
His epitaph, written at the command of pope Sergius, runs in
this wise : —
" Culmen, opes, sobolem polleutia rcgna, triumphos." '
A.D. 690. Archbishop Theodore, of blessed memory, died on
the second May of the week [Monday], the 13th of the kalends of
October [19th Sept.], in the eighty-eighth year of his age, and the
twenty-second of his bishopric.
' " Gladly be joined the spotless fellowship
Of angels, citizens of highest heaven."
Up to this time the archbishops of Canterbury were Romans, but
from this time they were English.
A.D. 691. M'^ilfrid, bishop of Hexham, being again accused, was
driven from his bishopric by king Alhfrid and several bishops : he
withdrew shortly afterwards to Aethelred, king of the Mercians,
and was by him appointed bishop of the Midland Angles. At this
time, Bosel, bishop of the province of the Hwiccas, became so
infirm, that he was unable personally to fulfil his episcopal duties ;
in consequence of which, Oftfor, a man of singular merit and grciit
holiness, who, for a long time, had discharged the office of the
priesthood in the monastery of tlie abbess Hild, but was after-
wards a preacher of the Word in the aforesaid province, was unani-
mously elected bishop in his stead, and, at the king's command,
was ordained by bishop Wilfrid of blessed memoiy ; for archbishop
Theodore was then dead, and no one had been ordained to the
episcopate in his stead. Wihtred, son of Ecgbert, king of Kent,
being settled in his kingdom, by his piety and zeal delivered his
subjects from foreign invasion. Suebheard governed a portion of
the kingdom conjointly with him.
A.D. 692. The venerable Ecgbert, an Englishman by birth,
(whose name is always to be mentioned with the greatest reverence,)
having led a pilgrim's life in Ireland, in order to obtain a country
in heaven, was desirous of going to preach in Germany ; but his
wish not being granted by God, he sent over there holy and in-
dustrious men to propagate the word ; among whom, the priest
Willebrord deservedly shone preeminent, no less by office than by
merit. Pepin the elder, chief of the Franks, received them joy-
fully, and sent them to preach in Hither Friesland. Following
their example, two priests, named Hewald, English by birth, went
to the province of Old Saxony, there, by preaching, to win souls to
Christ. But when tlie barbarians found that they were of a difl'crent
religion, they seized them, and on the 5th of the nones of October
[3d Oct.], martyred them. Willebrord, having received from
prince Pepin permission to preach, went to Rome, in order that
he might obtain from pope Sergius leave to begin the work of
' The day of the week, omitted in E. and the editions, is given from A.
- 13. Tlic editions incorrectly give xiv. ^ See Eccl. Hi.st. V. vii.
* A. sujiplics the day of the week (correctly), which is not found in B. nor the
editions. * See Eccl. Hist. V. viiu
A.D. 703.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 193
preaching the Gospel : and having accomphshed his object, he
returned to preach.
Brihtwald, abbot of the monastery of Raculfe, situate near the
northern mouth of the river Genlade, a man well versed in the
knowledge of the Scriptures, and thoroughly acquainted with eccle-
siastical and monastic discipline, was chosen bishop in the place of
Theodore. Oftfor, bishop of the Hwiccas, dying, was succeeded
by St. Ecgwin, who, in the course of a few years, with the per-
mission and assistance of king Aethelred, began the building of the
monastery which is called Eovesham.
A.D. 693. On Sunday, the 3d of the kalends of July [29th
June], Brihtwald was ordained by Godwin, metropolitan bishop of
France : among the many other bishops whom he ordained, was
Tobias, whom, on the death of Gebmund, bishop of Rochester, he
consecrated bishop in his stead. The monk, Beda, obtained the
rank of the diaconate from John, bishop of York.
A.D. 694. The men of Kent made peace with Ina, king of the
West Saxons, and paid Hhree thousand seven hundred and fifty
pounds, because they had burned his brother ]V[ull, as before -
mentioned.
A.D. 695. The body of the blessed virgin Aetheldrith, and the
garment in which she was wrapped, were found uncorrupted, after
having been buried sixteen years.
A.D. 696. On the anniversary of the nativity of the most blessed
virgin Cecilia [22d Nov.], St. Willebrord, an Englishman born in
Britain, was, at the request of Pepin, chief of the Franks, ordained
archbishop of the Frisians by pope Sergius.
A.D. 697. St.Guthlacat the age of twenty-four years, renouncing
the pomps of the world, and abandoning all his property, entered
the monastery of Hrepandun [Repton], and received the tonsure
and clerical habit there under abbess Alfthrith. Ostrith, the
queen of Aethelred, king of the IMercians, was slain by the South-
Humbrians.
A.D. 698. The body of St. Cuthbert was, on the eleventh anni-
versary of his burial, found uncorrupted, as though he were just
dead, and also the robe in which he was wrapped : so he was
exhumed and put in a new shroud, and deposited in a new coffin
on the pavement of the sanctuary. Shortly afterwards, bishop
Eadbert, the friend of God, was attacked with a severe illness, and
soon afterwards, to wit, on the 2d of the nones of May [6th IVIay] ,
he departed to the Lord : his body was deposited in the sepulchre of
St. Cuthbert, on the top of the cist in which the corpse of that
father had remained uncorrupted. The godly Eadfrid succeeded
Eadbert in the bishopric.
A.D. 699. On the 8th of the kalends of September [25th Aug.],
the most holy Guthlac came to the island of Cruland, and there
began to lead an anchoret's life.
A.D. 700—702.
A.D. 703. ^Beda, in his book " De Temporibus," thus writes.
1 See the Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 694, (p. 25,) and the note there.
- This extract is from Marianus.
194 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 701—
in the year in \Yhich he composed it : " If you wish to know how
many years, according to the computation of Dionysius, have
elapsed since our Lord's incarnation, take the number of indictions
since the fifth year of Tiberius, which in this present year will be
forty-six ; multiply that number by fifteen ; the product is six
hundred and ninety ; always add the regular number twelve,
(because, according to Dionysius, our Lord was born in the fourth
indiction,) and also the indiction of the year for which you are
making your calculation, which in the present year is one ; the
total result is seven hundred and three. This is the year of our
Lord according to Dionysius." These are Beda's words.
A.D. 704. Ethelred, king of the Mercians, turned monk in
the thirtieth year of his reign, and gave up the kingdom to his
nephew Cynred. The venerable monk Beda, in obedience to the
command of his abbot Ceolfrid, took priest's orders at the hands
of the holy John, bishop of York.
A.D. 705. On the 19th of the kalends of January [14tli
Dec], Alhfrid, king of the Northumbrians, died at Drifield,
having reigned not quite twenty years. His son Osred, a boy
about eight years old, succeeded him, and reigned eleven years.
At the commencement of his reign, Haedda, bishop of the West
Saxons, departed to the life which is in heaven ; and thereupon,
the bishopric of that province was divided into two sees, one of
which was assigned to Daniel, and the other to Aldelm, abbot of
the monastery of the city of Maildulf [Malmesbury] ; both men
well versed in ecclesiastical matters and in the Scriptures. Saxulf,
bishop of the Mercians, departed this life. St. Aldelm was ordained
bishop by the holy Brihtwald, archbishop of Canterbury.
A.D. 706.
A.D. 707. In the thirtieth year of his age, Beda, having taken
priest's orders, began to write his books, in the composition of
which he spent twenty-nine years.
A.D. ^708. Cynred, king of the Mercians, and OfFa, king of the
East Saxons, son of king Sigher, leaving their wives, their lands,
their kindred, and their country, for Christ's sake and the Gospel's,
went to Rome, and received the tonsure, and became monks there :
they spent their whole lives at the seat of the apostles, in prayer,
fasting, and almsgiving, and thus joined the company of the
saints in heaven, for which they had so long sought. At their
request, St. Ecgwin, bishop of the Hwiccas, accompanied them to
Rome, and asked for and obtained from pope Constantine a bull,
whereby the monastery which he had built in the Worcestershire
territory was secured from spoliation of wicked persons.
A.D. 709. Cynred was succeeded in the kingdom by Ceolred :
he was the son of king Aethelred, and had preceded Cynred in the
government of the kingdom. St. Aldelm, bishop of the West-
Saxon province, an universally learned man, departed to the Lord :
he was succeeded in the bishopric by Forthrcd, who was also very
learned in the Scriptures.
» See Eccl. Hist. V. xix.
A.D. 71G.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 195
" Wilfrid, renown'd in name and saintly life,
Through many years endured the world's fierce strife ;
Thrice fifteen years he fiU'd a bishop's place,
Then full of joy beheld his Maker's face."
His remains were buried with great ceremony in the church of
St. Peter the apostle, in his original monastery of Ripon. After
his death, Acca his priest was made bishop of the church of
Hexham : he was a man of great energy, praised of God and of
men ; a most skilful singer ; of consummate biblical learning ;
most correct in his confession of the catholic faith ; of unblemished
chastity ; intimately acquainted with the rules of ecclesiastical life.
He had been formerly a pupil of the God-favoured Bosa, bishop
of York.
A.D. 710. Berhfrid, the prefect of king Osred, fought against
and overcame the Picts. Ine, the warlike king of the Gewissi
[West Saxons], and his * kinsman Nun. waged war against Gerent,
king of the Britons, routed and put him to flight. The very
reverend father Adrian, abbot of the monastery of St. Peter the
apostle, died, and was buried in the same monastery. He was
succeeded by his disciple Albinus, who was as perfect in Greek and
Latin as in English, which was his native language.^
A.D. 711—713.
A.D. 714. On the 3d of the ides of April [11th April], being
the fourth day of Easter, the twelfth indiction, Guthlac, that most
laudable anchoret, and most faithful priest of God, brother of
Christ's dear virgin, Pegia, and exhibitor of countless virtues, died ;
his spirit becoming a partaker of the joys of everlasting happiness :
he was succeeded by Cissa, who was for a long time an idolater,
but who had afterwards been baptized in Britain.
A.D. 715. ^Gregory, the eighty-eighth pope, succeeded to the
papacy, and held it for seventeen years and ten months. He was
a chaste and learned man, and ordained as bishop of Mentz
Boniface, an * Englishman by birth, from whom Germany received
the word of salvation. Ine, king of the West Saxons, and Ceolred,
king of the Mercians, fought a battle, at a place called Wodnes-
beorh.
A.D. 716. The godly Egbert (whom we have mentioned before)
brought over the monks of Hii to the catholic mode of observing
Easter, and to the adoption of the ecclesiastical tonsure. Osred
being slain; Cenred, son of the renowned Cuthwin, succeeded to
the government of the Northumbrian kingdom. Ceolred, king
of the Mercians, died, and was buried at Licetfeld. He was
succeeded as king, in accordance with St. Guthlac's prophecy, by
his cousin Aethelbald, who w^as the son of Alweon, who was the
cousin of his father, king Aethelred. Aethelred, formerly king of
the Mercians, but afterwards abbot of the monastery of Bardney,
which he had built, departed this life, and entered on the joys of
everlasting happiness, purity, and day. On the sixth day of the
> This readmg is from B.; the editions read "his neighbour."
2 A. here adds, " On the death of Tyrhtell, bishop of Hereford, he was suc-
ceeded by Forhtere."
3 From Marianus. * " An Irishman," N.
o 2
196 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 717—
week [Friday], the 7th of the kalends of October [25th Sept.],
the emhiently holy and religious abbot Ceolfrid died, while on a
pilgrimage, at the city of Langres, in Burgundy, and was buried in
the church of the holy fellow-martyrs, Speusippus, Eleusippus,
and Meleusippus : he was seventy-four years old when he died,
and had been a priest for forty-seven years, and thirty-five years
an abbot.
A.D. 717. On the fifth day of the week [Thursday], the 3d
of the kalends of January [30th Dec], the fifteenth indiction,
St. Ecgwin, the third bishop of the Hwiccas, died. Wilfrid, a
man of great piety, succeeded to the bishopric of Worcester, having
been elected thereto in Ecgwin's lifetime.
A.D. 718. Coenred, king of the Northumbrians, died, and
Osric was exalted to the throne. Ingels, brother of Ina, king of
the West Saxons, died. His sisters were Saints Quenburg and
Cuthburg, the latter of whom built a monastery for holy virgins at
a place called Winburn. Aldfrid, king of the Northumbrians,
married Cuthburg ; but before her death, both renounced connu-
bial intercourse for the love of God.
A.D. 719, 720.
A.D. 721. Daniel, bishop of Winchester, went to Rome. In
the same year king Ine slew Cyneulf the etheling. The holy John,
bishop of York, not being able to fulfil the duties of his bishopric,
by reason of his great age, ordained his priest Wilfrid to succeed
him, and retired to his monastery which was called In Derewood,
and died there on the nones of May [7th May], having passed his
life in godly conversation. Eadfrid, bishop of Lindisfarne, died,
and was succeeded by Aethelwald, priest and abbot of Mailrose.
A.D. 722. Queen Aethelburg utterly destroyed the castle called
Taunton, which had been previously built by king Ine : the latter
in the same year fought a battle with the South Saxons.
A.D. 723, 724.
A.D. 725. On the 9th of the kalends of May [23d April],
Wihtred, king of Kent, son of Ecgbert, died, leaving three sons,
Aethelbert, Eadbert, and Alric, heirs to his kingdom, which he
had held thirty-four years and a half. King Ine fought again with
the South Saxons, and slew the etheling Aldbriht, whom he had
previously driven from West Saxony. 'In this year the chronolo-
gist Beda composed his smaller book of computation ; for he thus
writes : "If you wish to know the epact for any given year, take
the year of our Lord, according to Dionysius, as, for instance, in
the present ciglith indiction, seven hundred and twenty-five, and
divide by nineteen : nineteen multiplied l)y thirty produces five
luindred and seventy, and nineteen multiplied by eight produces
one hundred and fifty-two : subtracting these, there remain three :
multiply the three by "nineteen ; the produce is thirty-three : sub-
tract thirty, and three remain : three is the epact for the present
year." These are Beda's own words.
A.D. 726.^ Tobias, bishop of Rochester, died : he liad studied
Greek and Latin so well as to understand and employ them as
' This passage is from Marianus. ^ Kcad " eleven."
A.D. 731.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 197
easily as his native English. He was succeeded in the bishopric
l)y Alduulf, who was consecrated thereto by Berhtwald, archbishop
of Canterbury.
A.D. 727.
A.D. 728. King Ine having abdicated, and transferred his throne
to Aethelhard, one of the descendants of king Cerdic, went to
Rome during the time of pope Gregory [II.], being desirous of
spending some portion of his pilgrimage upon earth in the vicinity
of the holy places, so that he might thereby earn a better reception
of the saints in heaven. In the same year, king Aethelhard and
Oswold the etheling fought a battle : Oswold was the son of Aethel-
bald, who was the son of Cinebald, who was the son of Cuthwin,
who was the son of Ceaulin.
A.D. 729. In the month of January, two comets appeared near
the sun, and remained nearly two weeks. On Easter-day of the
same year, which fell on the 8th of the kalends of May [24th April],
the holy Egbert, whom we have often noticed before, departed to
the Lord. Wlien Easter was over, that is to say, on the 7th of
the ides of INlay [9th May], Osric, king of the Northumbrians,
died, having appointed that Ceoluulf, brother of his predecessor,
king Kenred, should be his heir. To Ceoluulf, Beda, the servant
of Christ, a priest and monk, addressed his Ecclesiastical History
of the English nation. Ceoluulf was the son of Cutha, who was
the son of Cuthwin, who was the son of Ecgwald, who was the son
of Aldhelm, who was the son of * Occa, who was the son of Ida,
who was the son of Eoppa.
A.D. 730. This year died the etheling Oswald, a very brave
man.
A.D. 731. On the 5th of the ides of January [9th Jan.], arch-
bishop Brihtwald died, worn out with extreme old age. Pope
Gregory died on the 3d of the ides of February [11th Feb.]. On
Sunday^ the 10th day of the month of June, Tatwine, a priest of
the monastery of Briudun, in the province of Mercia, was by
bishops Daniel of Winchester, Inguald of London, Aldwin of
Litchfield, and Adulf of Rochester, consecrated at Canterbury,
to be archbishop in the place of Brihtwald. He was a religious
and prudent man, and eminently well read in sacred literature. In
about the two hundred and eighty-second year from the arrival of
the Angles in Britain, Tatwine and Aldulf were bishops over the
Kentish churches. Moreover, Inguald was bishop of the province
of the East Saxons ; Eadbert and Hathulac were bishops of the
province of the East Angles ; and Daniel and Forthere of the pro-
vince of the "West Saxons : Aldwine was bishop of the Mercian
province ; Walhstod of those people^ who live westward beyond
the river Severn ; Wilfrid of the Wiccian province,* and Kynebert
of the province of the Lindisfari. The bishopric of the Isle of
Wight belongs to Daniel, bishop of Winchester. The province of
the South Saxons having been now for some years without a
' So MS. A. The editions read " Osca."
2 Namely, the second Sunday after Trinity.
3 Of Hereford. '^ Of AVorce.ster.
198 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 732—
bishop, requested the bishop of the West Saxons to exercise the
episcopal office over them. These and the other southern pro-
vinces, as far as the river Humber, with their respective kings,
were all subject to Aethelbald, king of the Mercians. But in the
province of the Northumbrians, of which Ceolulf was king, there
were four bishops, to wit, Wilfrid in the churcli of York, Athel-
wold in that of Lindisfarne, Acca in that of Hexham, and Pectelm
in that which is called Candida Casa [Whiterne]. The Britons
were to a great extent brought in subjection to the Angles.
A.D. 732.
A.D. 733. On the '18th of the kalends of September [14th
Aug.], about the third hour of the day, the sun was eclipsed to
such an extent that nearly the whole of its disc seemed to be
covered with a dreadful deep black shield. Acca, bishop of Hex-
ham, was driven from his bishopric.
A.D. 734. On the '2d of the kalends of February [24th Jan.],
at about cock-crow, the moon became of a blood-red colour, and
remained so for fully an hour, then turned black, and afterwards
returned to its natural colour. On the 3d of the kalends of
August [30th July], Tatwine, archbishop of Canterbury, died. His
successor in the archbishopric was Nothelm, a priest of the church
of London. On the fourth day of the week [Wednesday], before
Ascension Sunday, that is, on the 8th of the kalends of June [25tli
May, 735], about the tenth hour of the day, the most holy Beda, a
venerable priest, a monk praiseworthy in all things, and a won-
derful calculator, breathed his last sigh, and thus in joy entered the
kingdom of heaven. His death took place in this year according
to the English chronicles ; but in the followmg year, according to
his disciple Cuthbert, who has given an account of his death, and
who with many others was present at his departure. He composed
an elegant and extensive history of his own people down to this
period, and concluded his life and his history at the same time.
And we, by God's assistance, have thought that events which have
occurred subsequently to his happy departure, both as we find them
recorded in the English chronicles, and as we have heard from
trustworthy authority, as w-ell as the undoubted facts which we
have heard and seen, being chronicled from this period, are worthy
of being bequeathed to the memory of the men of veracity who
shall come after us.
A.D. 735. Pectelm, bishop of Whitherne, died, and was suc-
ceeded in the bishopric by Frithowald.
A.D. 736. Nothelm, archbishop of Canterbur)% received the pall
from Gregory [the Third], who was the eighty-ninth pope.
A.D. 737. Forther, bishop of Shireburn, and Frithogith, queen
of the West Saxons, went to Rome.
A.D. 738. Ceolulf, king of the Northumbrians, became a monk,
having abdicated his kingdom and bestowed in it Eadbriht, his
cousin-german, son of Eata.
' Wo shoul(i here read " the nineteenth."
'' Here also is an error ; we should read " the nhith."
A.D. 754.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 199
A.D. '739. Athelwald, bishop of Lindisfarne, and Acca, bishop
of Hexham, paid the debt of nature. Cyneulf succeeded Aethel-
wald, and Acca was succeeded by Frithebert.
A.D. 740.
A.D. 741. Aethelhard, king of the West Saxons, died, and was
succeeded by his kinsman Cuthred, who perpetually harassed in
war Aethelbald, king of the Mercians. Nothelm, archbishop of
Canterbury, dying on the 16th of the kalends of November [17th
Oct.], Cuthbert, the fifth bishop of Hereford, succeeded as arch-
bishop.^ Aldulf, bishop of Rochester, also died, and Dunn was
consecrated in his stead.
A.D. 742.
A.D. 743. Aethelbald, king of the Mercians, and Cuthred, king
of the West Saxons, fought against the Britons. Wilfrid, bishop
of the Hwiccas died, and Milred succeeded. ^ St. Boniface,
archbishop of Mentz, flourished. Stars* were seen falling as it
were from heaven.
A.D. 744. ^St. Boniface began to build the monastery of Fulda,
in the desert of Bochon. Wilfrid the younger,'' archbishop of
York, died on the 3d of the kalends of May [29th April], and
Ecgbert, brother of king Aedbert, was raised to the dignity of the
archbishopric. Daniel, bishop of Winchester, venerable for his
great age, voluntarily gave up his office, and came to reside in that
city, and Hunfrid was appointed bishop in his stead.
A.D. 745. Daniel, in the forty-third year from his appointment
to the office of the bishopric, and after many battles as a heavenly
soldier, entered on his everlasting reward.
A.D. 746. Selred, king of the East Saxons, was slain.
A.D. 747.
A.D. 748. Kenric, the etheling of the West Saxons, was slain.
Eadbert, king of Kent, died, and his brother Aethelbert was made
king.
A.D. 749.
A.D. 750. ^ Pepin, by order of pope Zachary, was anointed
emperor by Boniface, archbishop of Mentz, in consequence of
which the bishop of Mentz is considered as next in dignity to the
pope. Cuthred, king of the West Saxons, fought a battle with
that very fierce earldorman Aethelhun.
A.D. 751.
A.D. 752. In the twelfth year of the reign of Cuthred, king of
the West Saxons, he and Aethelbald, king of the Mercians, fought
a severe battle near Beorhtford.
A.D. 753. King Cuthred fought again with the Britons, and
slew many of them.
A.D. 754. Cuthred, king of the West Saxons, died, and his
» A.D. 738, A. See Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 737.
2 " Podda succeeded him in the bishopric of Hereford." A., in another hand.
3 This sentence is from Marianus. * See Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 744.
^ From Marianus.
« Here is an error, arising from a confusion between "Wilfrid of Worcester and
Wilfrid the second, archbishop of York. See the Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 734, 766.
' This sentence is from Marianus.
200 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 755—
kinsman Sigebert, son of Sigeric, succeeded him. On the death of
Hunferth, bishop of Winchester, Kinehard took his place as bishop.
Canterbury was destroyed by fire.
A.D. 755. 'On the nones of June [5th June], St. Boniface, the
archbishop, while preaching the word of God in Friesland, suffered
martyrdom in company with many other martyrs. Kineulf, who
was descended from the line of king Cerdic, with the aid of the
West- Saxon nobles, drove their king Sigebert from his dominions
on account of the multitude of his evil deeds, and reigned in his
stead ; but he granted to Sigebert one province called Hampshire,
which he continued to hold until he had unjustly slain Cumbra,
the earldorman, who had followed him longer than any other per-
son. After that he was attacked by king Kineulf himself and was
driven into a wood which the English call Andrcd. After
remaining there for a long time, a certain herdsman ran him
through with a spear, in revenge for the death of the aforesaid
earldorman, at a place called Privet's-flood. The same king
Kineulf very frequently and utterly routed the Britons in severe
battles. Aethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain at Seges-
walde, and his corpse was taken to Repton and there buried. His
kingdom was usurped by the tyrant Beornred, who held it for a
short time with neither peace nor comfort, and then lost his
throne and life together. Beornred was succeeded in the kingdom
by Ofta, grandson of a cousin of Aethelbald, king of the Mercians,
being a son of Thingferth, who was the son of P^anulf, who was the
son of Osmod, who was the son of Eoppa, who was the son of
Pybba,^ the father of king Penda.^
A.D. 756. Lullus succeeded as archbishop [of Mentz] after
Boniface, and held the see for thirty-two years.
A.D. 757. Eadbert, king of the Northumbrians, abdicated his
kingdom out o1f love for the heavenly country, and received the
tonsure of St. Peter the apostle ; and his son Osulf assumed the
government of the realm, and after a reign of one year was slain by
the Northumbrians on the 9th of the kalends of August [24th
July].
A.D. 758. On the 7th of the kalends of November [26th Oct.],
Cuthbert, archbishop of Canterbury, died. At this period Swithred
was king of the East Saxons, Osmund of the South Saxons, and
Beorn of the East Angles.
A.D. 759. Breog^vin, Cuthbert's successor, was ordained arch-
bishop on the festival of Michaelmas-day [29th Sept.]. Moll Aethel-
wold succeeded to the kingdom of Northumbria.
A.D. 760. Acthelbert, king of Kent, died ; and that most reli-
gious monk Ceolulf, formerly the most glorious king of Northum-
bria, entered on the joys of eternal day.''
A.D. 761. This year the winter was very severe ; and on the
* Tliis fir.st sentence is co]iiecl from Jrarianu.s.
2 So A. The editions read " Wil.ba."
■'' A. lierc adds, " On the death of Wita, bi.>3hop of Litchfield, he was succeeded
by Hcmele."
* " On the death of Hemele, bishop of Litchfield, Cuthfrid succeeded." A.,
addition.
A.D. 778.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 201
8th of the ides of August [6th Aug.], Moll, king of the Northum-
brians, slew a most noble etheling named Oswin, near Edwins -
cliff.
A.D. 762. Breogwin, archbishop of Canterbury, died on the
9th of the kalends of September [24th Aug.]. He was succeeded
by Jainbert, abbot of St. Augustine's monastery.
A.D. 763. On the feast-day of the purification of St. Mary
[2d Feb.], Jainbert was advanced to the archbishopric. On the
nones of May [7th May], in the same year, Frithewold, bishop of
Whiterne, died. Pechtwine succeeded him as bishop, being conse-
crated on the 16th of the kalends of August^ [17th July], in the
district called Aelfete.
A.D. 764. Archbishop Jainberht received the pall from pope
Paul, brother of his predecessor pope Stephen.
A.D. 765. Moll abdicated the kingdom of Northumbria, and
was succeeded by Alhred, son of Eanwin, who was the son of
Birnhom, who was the son of Bofa,^ who was the son of Bleocman,
who was the son of Ailric,^ who was the son of Ida.
A.D. 766. Ecgbert, archbishop of York, died on the 13th* of
the kalends of December [19th Nov.], at York, and was succeeded
by Aethelbert. Frithobert, bishop of Hexham, died, and was suc-
ceeded by Alhmund.
A.D. 767.
A.D. 768. That exquisitely pious monk, Eadbriht, formerly the
most noble king of Northumbria, died on the 13th of the kalends
of September [20th Oct.], and was buried in the same porch in
which his brother archbishop Egbert lies.
A.D. 769=— 773."
A.D. 774. A red figure like a cross appeared in the sky after
sunset. The Mercians and the men of Kent fought a battle at
Otford. Frightful and exceeding wonderful serpents appeared in
the province of the South Saxons. On the feast of Easter [3d
April], the Northumbrians expelled their king Alhred, who had
succeeded king Moll, from York, and raised Moll's son, Aethelbert,
to the throne.
A.D. 775. Milred,'' bishop of the Hwicca's, died, and was suc-
ceeded in the office of bishop by Weremund.
A.D. *776. Pechtwine, bishop of Whiterne, died ^on the 13th
of the kalends of October [19th Sept.].
A.D. 777.
A.D. 778. Alfwold succeeded to the kingdom of Northumbria,
after the natives had expelled Aethelbert therefrom. Kineulf," king
1 This date, indicating the seventh Sunday after Trinity, is probalDly correct.
2 So A. B. The editions read " Bosa." 3 Eabic, A. ; Earic, B.
* So A. The editions read " xiv."
^ " On the death of Cuthfrid, bishop of Litchfield, Berhtun succeeded." A., an
addition by another hand.
" "A.D. 772. Sigga, bishop of the church of Sealsey, having died, Alubriht
succeeded." An addition in A. by a second hand.
' See Saxon Chi-onicle, a.d. 772.
** The date is from B. a.d. 777, edd.
" This date is from A. B., and does not occur in the editions.
1" See the Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 777.
202 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 779—
of the West Saxons, and Offa, king of Mercia, fought a great battle
near Bensington ; but Offa gained the victory, and took and kept
possession of the town. Weremund, bishop of the Hwiccas, died,
and was succeeded by abbot Tilher. Aethelbert was ordained
bishop of York at Whiterne on the 17tli of the kalends of July'
[15th June].
A.D. 779. Alhmund, ^bishop of Hexham, died on the 7th of
the ides of September [7th Sept.], and on the 6th of the nones of
October [2d Oct.], Tilbert was ordained in his stead : and Higbald
was consecrated bishop of Lindisfarne, at Soccabur)', in the place
of Kineulf. King Alfwold sent messengers to Rome to ask pope
Adrian for the pall for Eanbald.
A.D. 780.
A.D. 781. Tilher, bishop of the Hwiccas, died, and Heathored
succeeded him in the bishopric. Aethelbert, archbishop of York,
Egbert's successor, died, and was succeeded by Eanbald.^ A synod
was held at Aclea [Ockley ?] : and Kineulf, bishop of Lindisfarne,
and Wereburg, queen of Ceolred, formerly king of the Mercians,
died.
A.D. 782,' 783.^
A.D. 784. As Kineulf,^ king of the West Saxons, was medi-
tating the expulsion from his kingdom of the etheling Cynehard,
brother of king Sigebert, he came to a vill, called by the English,
Meretun, for the purpose of visiting a certain woman, and, as it
happened, accompanied with very few attendants. On hearing
this, the etheling assembled his friends from all quarters, and with
great glee hastened to the town. On his arrival he found that every
one was sound asleep ; and he caused the chamber where the king
lay sleeping to be closely surrounded. When the king was made
aware of this, he rose up in haste from his couch, seized his arms,
opened the door of the chamber, and fought manfully against his
assailants. Catching sight at length of the etheling, he rushed
headlong at him and wounded him very severely : seeing this, all
the etheling's soldiers made a simultaneous attack on the king,
and, having disabled, slew him. The woman cried out with fear
and grief, and filled the room with her lamentations. The king's
few guards rushed to the spot ; and found the king, whom a short
time previously they had left alive, lying dead. At this they
became furious, and drawing their swords, made a fierce slaughter on
his murderers. But the etheling addresses them in a most specious
manner, promises a large sum of money to each, and also to spare
their lives, if they will desist : they, however, reject his offers, and
still press on ; but all perish except one British hostage, who was
' As the 15th of June fell upon a Sunday in a.d. 777 (and not in 778), we may
conclude that the chronology of Florence is here faulty by one year.
2 See Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 780.
3 " He was the scholar of Alchwin, the master of the emperor Charles." A.,
addition.
* " On the death of Herewald, bishop of the church of Sherbum, Ethelmod
succeeded." A., from "William of Malmcsbury.
* Totta, bishop of Middle-Anglia, having died, Eadberht succeeded." A., in a
second hand. * See Saxon Chronicle, a d. 755.
A.D. 790.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 203
seriously wounded. The next morning tlie king's ealdorman, Osiic,
with whom he was most intimate, and Wiverth, a most trusty
thane, hastened to the place, with all those whom the king had left
behind the day before ; but they find the gates all barred. While
they are endeavouring to break in, the etheling comes out boldly, and
promises that he will willingly grant to each person whatever he
may desire, gold, silver, and honours, if they will exalt him to the
regal throne ; he hints, too, that very many of his relations are with
him, who will on no account abandon, but are ready to live and die
with him. But they too disdain his offers, and peremptorily summon
his relations to quit their lord, and depart unharmed to their
homes as soon as possible. The latter replied thus: "What you
offer to us is the same as that which we previously offered to the
king's companions, who were slain with him ; but as they would
not acquiesce in our request, so we too in this matter will not
attend to yours." On hearing this the king's party advance, force
open the gates, break through the enclosures, and slay the etheling
and all his men, to the number of eighty-four, save only the
etheling's little son, who was nevertheless dreadfully wounded.
The king's corpse was carried to Winchester to be buried ; that of
the etheling was buried in the monastery of Axminster.
A.D. 785. A very boisterous synod was held at a place called
in the English tongue Cealchithe, and thereby archbishop lainbert
lost a small portion of his diocese. Berthun, bishop of Dor-
chester, dying, Higebriht was chosen by Offa, king of Mercia,
to succeed him in the bishopric ; and Offa's son, Egferth, was
consecrated king.
A.D. 786.'
A.D. 787. Brihtric, king of the West Saxons, married Eadburg,
daughter of king Offa : in his time the Danish pirates came to
England with three ships. When the king's reeve heard of their
arrival, he advanced hastily against them with a small company.
Being entirely ignorant who they were, or whence they came, he
endeavoured to drive them against their will into the king's town ;
but they presently slew him. These were the first Danes who
came to England."
A.D. 788. On the 4th of the nones of September [2d Sept.],
a synod was held at Pincanhale, in Northumbria.^
A.D. 789. On the 9th of the kalends of October [23d Sept.],
Alfwold, king of the Northumbrians, was wickedly slain by a man
named Siga, and was buried in St. Peter's church, at Hexham. A
brilliant celestial light frequently appeared at the spot where he was
slain. He was succeeded in the kingdom by his nephew, Osred,
son of king Alhred.
A.D. 790. On the 2d of the ides of August [12th Aug.],
lainbert, archbishop of Canterbury, died ; and abbot Aethelhard
' " On the death of Podda, bishop of Hereford, Ecca succeeded." A. in
another hand.
2 " On the death of Higberht, bishop of Litchfield, Aldiilf succeeded." A. in
a second hand.
^ " Kynehard, bishop of Winchester, dying, was succeeded by Aethelhard,
abbot of Malmesbury." A. in another hand.
204 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 791—
was elected to succeed him. The Northumbrians drove Osred
from his kingdom, who was succeeded therein by Aetheh-ed's
brother, Alfwold.
A.D. 791. On the IGth of the kalends of August' [17th July],
Beadwulf was ordained bishop of Whiterne.
A.D. 792. Osred, whom the Northumbrians had driven from
his kingdom, was taken captive, and on the 18th of the kalends of
October [14th Sept.], unrighteously put to death, and was buried
in the monastery at the mouth of the river Tine.
A.D. 793. Aegelbriht,' the most glorious and holy king of the
East Angles, courteous of speech to all, and acceptable to Christ,
the true King, by reason of his virtues, lost at once his kingdom
and his life, being beheaded by the detestable commands of Offa,
the vei-y potent king of the Mercians, and the wicked incitement
of his wife, queen Cynethrith : but, although wickedly deprived of
his kingdom and slain, the martyr-king entered the courts of the
blessed angels amid the great rejoicings of holy spirits. The ordi-
nation of archbishop Aethelhard took place on the 12th of the
kalends of August [21st July].'
A.D. 794. On the 3d of the kalends of May [29th April],
Aethelred, king of the Northumbrians, was slain by his subjects;
wherefore Ceolulf, bishop of Lindisfarne, and bishop Aedbold, left
that kingdom. Eadbert, also called Pren, began to reign over the
Kentish people. Offa, king of the Mercians, dying on the 4th of
the kalends of August [29th July], his son Egferth succeeded to
his splendid kingdom, and died in the same year, having reigned
one hundred and forty-one days. The glorious Kenulf, happy in a
saintly progeny, succeeded him, and governed the kingdom in
peace, justice, and piety.
A.D. 795."
A.D. 796. Kenulf, king of the Mercians, laid waste nearly the
wliole of Kent, took captive its king Pren, and carried him in
chains to Mercia.*
A.D. 797.
A.D. 798. The body of the holy virgin Wihtburg" (daughter of
Anna, king of the East Angles, and sister of the holy virgins,
Sexburg, Aethclburg, and Aetheldrith) was found uncornipted,
near tifty-tive years having elapsed since it had been buried in
the town of Dirham. Heathored, bishop of the Hwiccas, died,
and ]3enebert was chosen and consecrated in his stead.
A.D. 799. Aethelhard, archbishop of Canterbury, and Kinebert,
bishop of Winchester, went to Rome.
A.D. 800. Brilitric, king of the West Saxons, died, and was
succeeded by Ecgbert. In the year when king Brihtric died,
Aethelmund, ealdorman of the Mercians, led out his men and
crossed over the ford, which is called in English Cymeresford.
' This falling on the eighth Sunday after Trinity, is probably correct.
^ See Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 792. ^ The seventh Sunday after Trinity.
* " Aluhriht, bishop of Selscy, having died, waa succeeded by Bosa," &c. A.
from William of Malmesbury.
* " On the death of Eadbert, bishop of l^Iiddle Anglia, Unwona succeeded to
the bishopric." A. in another hand. " See Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 797.
A.D. 822.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 205
On hearing of his advance, Weolhstan, ealdorman of Wiltshire,
went up against him with the men of that county : a stubborn
engagement ensued, many on both sides were slain, and both the
leaders fell, but the men of Wiltshire gained the victory. Alhmund,
son of Alhred, king of the Northumbrians, was slain.
A.D. 801.
A.D. 802. Higebald, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and Egbert,
who was chosen to succeed him, was consecrated by Eanbald,
archbishop of York, on the 3d of the ides of June [11th June].
Weremund, bishop of Rochester, dying, Beornmod was consecrated
in his stead.
A.D. 803. Aethelhard, archbishop of Canterbury, died, and was
succeeded by Wulfred.
A.D. 804. Archbishop Wulfred received the pall from pope Leo.
A.D. 805. Cuthred, king of Kent, and Heabriht the earldorman,
and Ceolburg, * abbess of Berkeley, died.
A.D. 806—811.
A.D. 812. Wulfred, archbishop of Canterbury, and Wibert,
bishop of Sherborne, went to Rome.
A.D. 813. Archbishop Wulfred, having received the benediction
of the holy pope Leo, returned to his see. In the same year
Ecgbert, king of the West Saxons, laid waste [the territoiy of] the
West Britons ^from the eastern boundary.
A.D. 814, 815.
A.D. 816. The English school at Rome was burned.^
A.D. 817, 818.
A.D. 819. St. Kenulph, king of the IVTercians, after a life spent
in good deeds, passed away to the everlasting joys of heaven,
leaving his son *Kenelm, then seven years of age, the heir to his
kingdom. But after the lapse of a few months, he was, through
the traitorous contrivance of his sister, Quendrith, whose fierce
mind was swayed by an outrageous lust for supreme power, and by
the hand of his barbarous tutor Ascebert, cruelly and secretly slain
under a thorn -tree, in a vast and darksome wood : but as heaven
alone was witness to his murder, so heaven afterwards revealed the
deed by means of a column of light. IVlilk-white in innocence,
and pure as when born, fell the head of Kenelm : from it a milk-
white dove, with golden pinions, soared to heaven. After his blessed
martyrdom, Ceolulf succeeded to the IVIercian kingdom. Egbert,
bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and was succeeded by Heathored.
A.D. 820.
A.D. 821. Ceolulf, king of the IMercians, was driven from his
kingdom ; and was succeeded in the realm by Beornulf.
A.D. 822. The stalwart ealdormen Burhelm and Muca were
slain, and a synod was held at a place called Clovesho. Dene-
bert, bishop of the Hwiccas, died, and was succeeded by Heaberht.
1 Her designation, wanting in the editions, is supplied from A.
2 Supplied from A. and B., and wanting in the editions.
^ " On the death of Wigberht, bishop of Salisbury, Alhatan succeeded." A. in
another hand.
*' B. designates him " Saint" Kenelm.
206 CHUKCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 823—
A.D. 823. The Britons were slaughtered at a place called
Gafulford, by the men of Devonshire. Ecgbert, king of the West
Saxons, and Beornulf, king of the Mercians, fought a battle at
EUandune, that is, Ealla's liill ; and, after a great slaughter,
Ecgbert gained the victoiy. This induced him soon afterwards to
send his son Aetheluulf, and Alhstan, bishop of Sherborne, and his
ealdorman Wulfhard, with a large army into Kent. Immediately
on their arrival they drove Baldred, king of that province, from
his dominions. After these events, the inhabitants of Kent and
Surrey, and the South Saxons and East Angles, submitted spon-
taneously to king Ecgbert : they had been previously violently
withdrawn from the dominion of his kindred, and had been for
some years most unwilling subjects of foreign kings. The East
Angles with their king sent ambassadors to Ecgl)ert, king of the
West Saxons, intreating him to be their supporter and strong
defence against the inroads and attacks of the Mercians ; he acceded
to their request, and promised that he would willingly assist them
in all things. But Beornulf, king of the Mercians, counted this
promise for nought, and collecting a large army, entered their
territories in a hostile manner, and began to put all the chief in-
habitants to death. Their king opposed him with his forces, and
joining battle, slew him and almost all his army : his relation
Ludecan succeeded him in the kingdom.'
A.D. 824.
A.D. 825. Ludecan, king of the Mercians, mustered his forces
and led an army into the province of the East Angles, for the
purpose of taking vengeance for the death of king Beornulf, his
predecessor. He was quickly met by the natives and their king,
who in a severe battle slew him and five of his ealdormen, and
very many of his troops, and put to flight the remainder, Wiglaf
succeeded to his splendid kingdom.
A.D. 826.'
A.D. 827. On the holy night of the day of our Lord's Nativity
[25th Dec. 828], there was an eclipse of the moon. In the same
year Ecgbert, king of the West Saxons, brought the Mercian king-
dom under his own rule, its king, Wiglaf, having been driven out.
Then he led an expedition beyond the river Humber. The North-
umbrians met him at a place called Dore in a peaceful manner,
and tendered their alliance and humble submission; so both parties
separated, being mutually very well pleased. This Ecgbert was the
eighth king of the English nation who ruled over all the southern
provinces, and those which are separated from the northern by the
river Humber.
^ For the first whose kingdom extended so far was Aelle, king of
the South Saxons ; the second was Celin, king of the West Saxons,
called in their dialect Ceaulin ; tlie third was Aethelbert, king
of Kent; the fourth was Redwald, king of the East Angles, who in
' " On the death of Aldulf, bishop of Lichfield, Herewiu succeeded." A. in
a second hand.
^ " Ceadda succeeded to the bishopric of Hereford on the death of Ecca." Id.
3 See Beda, Eccl. Hist. II. v.
A.D. 836.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 207
Aethelbert's life-time was ealdorman of that people ; the fifth was
Edwin, king of the Northumbrians, that is, those who dwelt north
of the river Humber, the most powerful of all the inhabitants of
Britain — he ruled over all the English and British, the natives of
Kent only excepted — he also brought under the English sway the
Mevanian British Islands [Man and Anglesey], which are situated
between Ireland and Britain ; the sixth was Oswald, also the most
Christian king of the Northumbrians, who kept up to their full
extent the boundaries of the kingdom ; the seventh was Oswiu his
brother, who for some time kept up the kingdom to nearly
the same magnitude — he, also, to a very great extent subdued
the Picts and Scots, who inhabit the northern extremities of
Britain, and made them tributary to himself; the eighth, as we
have said, was king Ecgbert. In his time (as is reported) was born
St. Swithun, of noble ancestry: he, when his years of youth
were passed, was invested with holy orders by St. Helmstan,
bishop of Winchester. Moreover king Ecgbert entrusted his son
Aethelwulf to his care, for the purpose of instructing him in sacred
literature.
A.D. 828. King Wiglaf succeeded to the Mercian kingdom.
Heathored, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and was succeeded by
Ecgred. Ecgbert, king of the West Saxons, led an army into the
territory of the Northern Britons ; and, notwithstanding their
resistance, brought them under his dominion.
A.D. 829. Wulfred, archbishop of Canterbury, died.
A.D. 830. Ceolnoth was chosen and consecrated archbishop.
A.D. 831. Archbishop Ceolnoth received the pall from pope
Gregory.
A.D. 832. The Danish pirates, those vultures of prey, plundered
Sheppey.
A.D. 833. Ecgbert, king of the West Saxons, attacked thirty-
five of the pirates' ships at Carrum ; but after a great carnage, the
Danes got the victory.
A.D. 834.
A.D. 835. The Danes, with a large fleet, made a descent upon
the territory of the West Britons, which is called Curvalia [Corn-
wall] ; the Britons made a treaty with them, and in conjunction
-with them laid waste the boundaries of king Ecgbert's dominions.
When that king heard of it, he collected his forces in haste, and
engaged with the enemy at a place called Hengestesdune, which
means Hengst's mount ; he slew many of them, and put the rest
to flight.'
A.D. 836. Ecgbert, king of the West Saxons, died. Before he
became king, Offa, king of the Mercians, and Brihtric, king of the
West Saxons, drave him out of England ; whereupon he went over
to France, and there remained for three years : then he returned
to England, and on Brihtric's death, succeeded to the government
of the kingdom, as we have before mentioned. After his death, his
son Aethelwulf began to reign in West Saxony, and made his own
* " On the death of Unwona, bishop of Chester, Warenberht succeeded." A.
in a second hand.
208 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 837—
son Aethelstan king over the men of Kent, the East Saxons, the
inhabitants of Surrey, and the South Saxons.
A.D. 837. Wulfhard, the ealdorman, attacked thirty-four of the
pirates' ships at Hamton [Southampton], made great havoc among
them, and gained the victory : he died shortly afterwards. Athelm,
the ealdorman, assisted by the people of Dorsetshire, attacked the
Danes in the district called Port, and compelled them to make a
long-continued retreat ; he, however, received a wound from them
in the course of the retreat, and died in consequence, and the Danes
got the victory. During the reign of king Aetheluulf, St. Helmstan
the bishop departed this life, and St. Swithun was appointed by the
king to succeed him.
A.D. 838. Herebriht the ealdorman, and with him very many
of the Mercians, were slain by the pagan Danes. In the same
year many were slain by the same horde, in the province of
Lindsey, in East Anglia, and in Kent. Wiglaf, king of the
Mercians, died : Beorhtulf succeeded to his kingdom.
A.D. 839. Between the eighth and ninth hour of the 3d of the
nones of May,' being the vigil of our Lord's ascension, there was
an eclipse of The sun. The Pagans, whom we have so often
mentioned, slew great numbers in London, and in Cwentawic, and
in the city of Rochester.
A.D. 840. Aetheluulf, king of the West Saxons, engaged thirty-
five of the Danish ships at Carrum, but the Danish good-fortune
overthrew the Saxons.
A.D. 841—^844.
A.D. 845. Eanulf the ealdorman, with the people of Somerset-
shire, Ealhstan, bishop of Sherborne, and Osric the ealdorman,
with the men of Dorsetshire, fought at the mouth of the river
Parret against the Danish army, made great havoc among them,
and obtained the victory. Ecgred, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and
was succeeded by ^Eanbert.
A.D. 846, 847.
A.D. 848. ■*Heaberht, the bishop of the Hwiccas, died ; and
Athun succeeded.
A.D. 849. •''Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, was born at the
royal town of Wanating [Wantage], in the region called Berkshire,
so called from the wood of Berroc, where the box-tree grows in
abundance. His "genealogy is thus deduced. Alfred was the son
of king Aethelwulf, who was the son of Ecgbert, who was the son
of Alhmund, who was the son of Eafa, who was the son of Eoppe,
who was the son of Ingils ; Ingils and Ine, that famous king of the
West Saxons, were brothers ; Ine went to Rome, and closing there
in glory his earthly life, departed to the heavenly country, there to
reign with Christ. Those two were the sons of Coenred, who was
» 5th May, a.d. 810.
* "a.d. 843. Ou the death of Ilcrewin, bishop of Lichfielil, Ootliclwald suc-
ceeded." A. in a second hand. •• A. Eadbert, B. Egbert, edd.
' Eanbert, edd.
' From this point to A.D. 887, compare Asser'.s Life of King Alfred.
'' The proper names are corrected by A., wlmse readings arc hero followed.
A.D. 851.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 209
the son of Ceolwald, who was the son of Cutha, who was the son
of Cuthwin, who was the son of Ceauhn, who was the son of
Kenric, *who was the son of Creod, who was the son of Cerdic,
who was the son of Ehs, who was the son of Esle, who was the son
of Gewis, (after whom the Britons gave to the whole tribe the
name of Gewis,) who was the son of Wig, who was the son of
Freawine, who was the son of Freodegar, who was the son of Brand,
who was the son of Bealdeag, who was the son of Woden, who was
the son of Frithewald, who was the son of Frealaf, who was the son
of Fritheulf, who was the son of Finn, who was the son of Godulf,
who was the son of Gaeta, (which Gaeta the Pagans formerly
worshipped as a god,) who was the son of Cetwa, who was the son
of Beawa, who was the son of Sceldwa, who was the son of
Heremod, who was the son of Itermod, who was the son of
Hathra, who was the son of Wala, who was the son of Bedwig, who
was the son of Seth, who was the son of Noa, who was the son of
Lamech, who was the son of Matusala, who was the son of Enoch,
who was the son of Jared, who was the son of Malaliel, who was
the son of Cainan, who was the son of Enos, who was the son of
Seth, who was the son of Adam. His mother's name was Osburg;
she was a woman of exceeding piety, noble in disposition, and
noble by descent, a daughter of Oslac, king Aethelwulf 's celebrated
cup-bearer, which Oslac was a Goth by nation. He was descended
from the Goths and Jutes, through the two brothers and earls,
Stuf and Wihtgar, who being put in possession of the Isle of
Wight by their uncle Cerdic, and his son Cynric, their cousin, put
to death the few native British whom they could find there, at a
place called Wihtgarabirig. The rest of the natives of the island
had previously either been slain or had fled into exile.
A.D. 850. On the eve of Pentecost, being the kalends of June
[1st June],^ Berhtferth, son of Berhtulf, king of the Mercians,
unjustly put to death his kinsman, St. Wistan. He was the grand-
son of two of the Mercian kings ; for his father, Wigmund, was
the son of king Wiglaf, and his mother, AeMed, was the daughter
of king Ceoluulf. His corpse was carried to the monastery of
Repton, which was then very celebrated, and was buried in the
mausoleum of his grandfather, king Wiglaf. But miracles from
heaven were not wanting at the place of his martyrdom ; for, from
the spot where he was slain in his innocence, a column of light
shot up to heaven, and remained visible to the inhabitants of that
place for thirty dayg..^
A.D. 851 . Ceorl, earldorman of Devonshire, along with the men
of that county, fought against the Pagans, at a place called Wicgan-
beorh, and the Christians gained the victory. In the same year, the
Pagans wintered for the tirst time in the island called Sheppey,
which means, the island of sheep. It is situated in the river
Thames, between Essex and Kent, but nearer Kent than Essex,
^ This link in the pedigi-ee, here supplied from A. and B., is wanting in the
editions. 2 "j'j^jg concurrence of dates indicates the year 849.
^ " On the death of Waerenbert, bishop of Chester, Rethun succeeded." A. iu
another hand.
VOL. II. P
210 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 852—
and contains a splendid monastery.' In the same year, too, a great
army of the Pagans, with 350 ships, came to the mouth of the
river Thames, and laid waste Dorubernia [Canterbuiy], that is, the
chief city of Kent, and London, which is situated on the north bank
of the river Thames, on the boundary of Essex and Middlesex,
though, in fact, this city belongs to Essex ; and put to flight
Beorhtuulf, king of the Mercians, who with all his army had come
up to war against them. After this the same pagan army advanced
into Surrey, a district situated on the south bank of the river
Thames, and to the eastward of Kent ; and Aetheluulf, king of the
West Saxons, and his son Aethelbald fought along-contested battle
with the whole of that army at a place called Ockley, which means
Oak's field. After both sides had fought fiercely and coura-
geously for a long time, the greater part of the pagan army was
utterly routed and put to the sword, so much so that we have heard
that there were never so many of them slain in that region in one
day either before or after ; and the Christians gained a splendid
victory, and remained masters of the field of carnage. In the same
year, king Aethelstan, and Ealhere, the ealdorman, destroyed a large
army of the Pagans, at a place in Kent called Sandwich, and took
nine of their ships ; the remainder escaped by flight.
A.D. 852. Beorhtwulf, king of the Mercians, died, and Burhrcd
succeeded him in the kingdom.
A.D. 853. Burhred, king of the Mercians, sent messengers to
Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons, entreating him to assist in
bringing under his dominion the Western Britons, who dwell
between Mercia and the western sea, and who were in high rebel-
lion against him. Having received the embassy, king Aethelwulf
quickly set his army in motion, and entered the territoiy of
tlie Britons in company with king Burhred, and immediately
thereon laid waste that people, and subdued them to Burhred's
dominion : having done this he returned home.
In this year, king Aetheluulf sent his before-mentioned son Alfred,
accompanied by a number of the nobles and also of the common
people, in great splendour to Rome. Pope Leo, at his father's
request, appointed him to all his dignities, anointed him king,
received him as a son by adoption, and confirmed him.
In this year, also, Ealhere, the ealdorman, and the men of Kent,
and Huda, with the men of Surrey, fought bravely and stubbornly
against the army of the Pagans, in the island which is called in
the Saxon language Tenet, but in the British, Ruim. At the
first, the Christians were victorious. The battle lasted for a long
time, and many on both sides were slain there, and driven into the
water and drowned ; and both of the ealdormen were killed there.
In the same year, also, after Easter, Aethelwulf, king of the West
Saxons, gave his daughter as queen to Burhred, king of the Mer-
cians, in the royal vill called Cippenham, and the nuptials were
very splendid.
A.D. 854. Eanbert,^ bishop of Lindesfarne, died, and was suc-
ceeded by Eardulf.
' Namely, Minster. ^ So the MSS. A. B. ; the editions read " Egbert."
A.D. 855.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 211
A.D. 855. A large army of the Pagans passed the whole winter
in the aforesaid Isle of Sheppey. In this year, king Aetheluulf
exonerated the tenth part of all his kingdom from all royal service
and tribute, and by a charter, marked with the cross of Christ,
dedicated it for ever to the indivisible and triune God, in order to
obtain redemption of the souls of himself and his ancestors. Thus,
with great honour, he went to Rome, taking with him again his
favourite son Alfred, and remained there for a whole year. At the
end of that period he returned to his own country, bringing with
him Judith, daughter of Charles, king of the Franks. But in the
meanwhile, during the short time that king Aetheluulf was absent
beyond sea, a scandalous transaction, and contrary to all christian
behaviour, occurred at Selwood, in the western part of the kingdom :
for king Aethelbald and Ealhstan, bishop of Sherborne, and
Eanwulf, ealdorman of Somersetshire, are reported to have con-
spired to prevent king Aetheluulf from ever resuming his kingdom
when he returned from Rome. This piece of mischief, unheard of
in any former age, is by very many attributed to, and considered
to have been concocted by, the bishop and the ealdorman only ; but
many say that the king's haughtiness alone caused it ; for, as we
have heard from certain persons, the king was very offensive, both
in that respect and in many other pieces of frowardness, and the
issue of the affair proves this. For when he returned from Rome,
the before-named son of king Aetheluulf, together with all his
advisers, or rather plunderers, were tempted to commit the great
crime of repelling the king from his own dominions. But God did
not permit it, nor would the Saxon nobles consent thereunto ; for
in order that there might not accrue to Saxony the irremediable
danger of (as it were) a civil war, growing fiercer and more cruel
day by day — the father and son fighting against each other, and,
moreover, the whole nation in rebellion against both — the kingdom,
hitherto entire, was by the unspeakable condescension of the father,
and the consent of all the nobles, divided between the father and
the son, the eastern parts being assigned to the father, and the
western to the son. Where the father ought by lawful right to reign,
there the wicked and aspiring son was to hold rule ; for the western
part of Saxony was always superior to the eastern. So, when king
Aetheluulf returned from Rome, all that people were so rejoiced
(and properly) at the return of the old man, that they were desirous,
if he would permit it, to deprive his rebellious son Aethelbald and
all his counsellors of any share of the kingdom. But he, as we
have related, woxdd not allow this — showing great clemency, and
adopting prudent counsel, so that the kingdom might not be
endangered : and he made Judith, daughter of king Charles, whom
he had received in marriage from her father, to sit beside him on
the throne of state as long as she lived, without any controversy or
opposition on the part of his nobles, although this was done in con-
travention to a preposterous custom of that nation : for the West-
Saxon nation does not allow the queen to sit by the king's side, or
even endure to call her the queen, but only the king's consort.
The origin of this contest (or rather indignity), which arose on
p 2
212 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 855—
account of a certain froward and wicked queen of that nation, is
thus related hy our elders: — There was in recent times, in Mercia,
a powerful king named Ofta, whose daughter Eadburh was taken to
wife by Brihtric, king of the West Saxons, as we have before* men-
tioned. She very soon began to act tyrannically, committed all
possible enormities against God and man, made accusations to the
king against every person she could, and thus treacherously tried to
deprive them of their life or their station ; and when the king would
not thereto consent, she endeavoured to take them oH' by poison.
This is shown in the case of a youth who was a great favourite with
the king, and whom, when she was unable to criminate him in the
king's eyes, she poisoned. The said king, Brihtric, is reported to
have drank some of this poison by mistake. She did not mix the
poison for the king, but for the youth, but the king took the cup
first, and so both perished. On account of this queen's atrocities,
all the inhabitants of that country swore that they would never
suffer any king to reign over them who would make his queen to
sit beside him on the throne. On the death of king Brihtric, the
queen, being no longer able to remain among the Saxons, went
beyond sea with countless treasures, and came to Charles, that most
renowned king of the Franks. As she was standing before the
throne, offering many presents to the king, Charles said to her,
" Choose, Eadburh, which you prefer — me or my son, who is
standing with me on this royal seat." She returned a quick but
foolish answer, saying, " If the choice is open to me, I take your
son, because he is younger than you." Charles smiled, and replied,
" If you had chosen me you should have had my son ; but inas-
much as you have chosen my son, you shall have neither me nor
him." However, he gave to her an extensive monastery of nuns,
where she laid aside her secular dress, and assumed a nun's habit,
but remained abbess thereof for only a very few years ; for having
committed fornication with a certain layman, and being expelled
from the monastery by order of king Charles, she passed the
remainder of her life in a state of poverty and misery.
King Aetheluulf lived' two years after his return from Rome,
during which period, among many other deeds of good intent with
respect to this life, and having in contemplation the period when
he sliould go the way of all Hesh, he caused a testamentary epistle
to be drawn up, lest his sons might causelessly quarrel after their
father's death ; and by this he divided his kingdom equally between
his sons Aethelliald and Aethelbert, and his private domains between
his sons and liis daughter, and also his relations ; and the money
which he might leave behind him he disposed, in equal proportions,
for the good of his own soul, and the benefit of his sons and his
nobles. For the good of his soul, about which from the first bloom
of youth he had been careful above all things, lie enjoined that his
successors should, from his death until the last day of doom,
furnish, out of eveiy tenth hide of liis hereditary lands, one poor
man, eitiicr native or a foreigner, with meat, drink, and clothing,
provided that the land was inhabited and stocked with cattle, and
not waste. He ordered, moreover, that the sum of 300 mancuses
A.D. 864.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 213
in money should be annually carried to Rome, to be divided there
in the following manner, that is to say — 100 mancuses in honour
of St. Peter specially, for the purpose of buying oil to supply all the
lamps in his apostolic church on Easter eve, and likewise at cock-
crowing ; and 100 mancuses in honour of St. Paul the apostle, for
the same purpose ; and 100 mancuses to the catholic and apo-
stolic pope.
After his death, which took place on the ides of Januai-y*
[Jan. 13], and his burial at Winchester, his son Aethelbald invaded
his father's marriage-bed, in defiance of God's commands and the
dignity of Christians, yea, and of the customs of all pagan nations,
and married Judith, the daughter of Charles, king of the Franks;
and, for two years and a half after his father's death, he held with
an unsteady hand the kingdom of the West Saxons.
Eadmund, a most holy man, and accepted of God, descended
from the Old Saxons, a most exact observer of the Christian faith,
affable and kindly-spoken to all, eminent for the grace of humility,
a liberal entertainer of the needy, a most fostering parent to
orphans and widows, obtained the kingdom of East Anglia.
A.D. 856, 857'— 859'.
A.D. 860. King Aethelbald died, and was buried at Sherborne ;
and Aethelbert, his brother, added Kent, Surrey and Sussex to his
own kingdom, as was proper. In his days, a great army of the
Pagans landed and assaulted Winchester, and laid it waste. As
they were returning to their ships with great booty, they were man-
fully opposed by Osric, ealdorman of Hampshire, and his men, and
by Aethelulf, the ealdorman, with the men of Berkshire. They
joined battle, and the Pagans were cut down on all sides; and when
they could no longer resist, like women they began to flee, and the
Christians remained masters of the field of carnage.
Aethelbert having governed the kingdom for five years in peace,
and love, and honour, went the way of all flesh, to the great grief
of his people, and rests at Sherborne, being honourably buried by
the side of his brother.*
A.D. 861.
A.D. 862. On the fifth day of the week, on the 6th of the
nones of July [Thursday, 2d July], in the tenth indiction, St.
Swithun passed away to heaven.^
A.D. 863.
A.D. 864. The Pagans wintered in the Isle of Thanet, and made
a firm compact of peace with the people of Kent, who promised
them money if they would observe the treaty. Nevertheless the
Pagans, like foxes, stole out of their camp by night, and breaking
' In B. (erroneously) " June."
- " On the death of Ceadd, bishop of Hereford, Aldbert succeeded." A. in a
second hand.
3 " Oethelwald, bishop of Lichfield, having died, was succeeded by Hunberht." Id.
^ He died, a.d. 866. The later hand in A. here adds, "On the death of Rethun,
bishop of Chester, Aldred succeeded."
^ " This pearl of God lay ingloriously hidden for nearly one hundred years ;
he was succeeded in the bishopric by Alfrith, Dunberht." A. from William of
Malmesbury.
214 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 865—
the treaty and contemning the promise of money (for they knew
that they could obtain greater wealth by clandestine plunder than
in peace), laid waste the whole of the eastern part of Kent.
A.D. 865.'
A.D. 866. Aethered/ the brother of king Aethelbert, succeeded to
the kingdom of the West Saxons. In the same year a large fleet of the
Pagans from the Danube arrived in Britain, and wintered in the king-
dom of the East Angles (called in the Saxon tongue East Engle),
where the greater part of their army was converted into cavalry.
A.D. 867. Tlie aforesaid army of Pagans changed its quarters in
East Anglia for the city of York, situate on the northern bank of
the river Humber. At that time a very great discord among the
Northumbrians had arisen by means of diabolical agency, as usually
happens to a people which are under the wrath of God. For the
Northumbrians had then, as we have related, expelled from the
kingdom their lawful king, named Osbriht, and had elevated to the
throne a certain tyrant named Aella, who was not of the royal race :
but by divine counsel, and the cooperation of their nobles, that
discord was on the arrival of the Pagans somewhat appeased, and
Osbriht and Aella joined their forces, and with the united army
marched to the town of York. Wlien they arrived there, the Pagans
immediately took to flight, and took care to defend themselves
witliin the walls of the city. Wlien the Christians saw their flight
and fear, they began to pursue them even within the city walls, and
to make breaches in the wall : this they effected, for that city had
not then strong and well-built fortifications. Wlien the Christians
had, as they intended, made a breach in the wall, and a great num-
ber of them had entered the city along with the Pagans, the latter,
driven to it by despair and necessity, made a ferocious attack upon
them, slew, routed, and overthrew them, both within and without
the city. Of the Northumbrian army the greater part, including
the two kings, was slain : those who escaped made peace with the
Pagans.
In that year, also, Ealhstan, bishop of Sherborne, went the way of
all flesh, after having held the bishopric with honour for fifty years,
and was buried in peace at Sherborne.
A.D. 868. A comet was seen very distinctly in this year.
The venerable king Alfred, who then held the second place in
the kingdom, obtained in marriage a Mercian lady of noble descent,
she being the daughter of Aethelrcd, surnamed iMucil, ealdorman
of the Gaini. His wife's mother was named Eadburh, descended
from the royal race of the kings of the Mercians, a most venerable
woman, who for many years after the death of his father, and until
her own decease, remained a chaste widow.
In the same year, the before-mentioned pagan army left the
Northumbrians, and came to Mercia, and marched to Nottingham,
called in the British tongue Tigguocobauc, and in the Latin
The house of caves, and there they passed the winter of that year.
' " On the death of ITunbcrht, bishop of LichQeld, Cineferth succeeded." A. in
a later hand.
2 Such is the constant orthography of A. ; the editions read " Ethclrcd."
A.D. 871.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 215
Immediately after their coming, Burhred, king of the Mercians,
and all the chief men of that tribe, sent messengers to Aethered,
king of the West Saxons, and to his brother Alfred, earnestly-
soliciting all the aid they could render in giving battle to the said
army : and they easily obtained what they requested ; for the two
brothers, not slow to fulfil their promise, assembled from every part
of their dominions an immense army, and came into Mercia, and
went as far as Nottingham, being unanimous in desiring a battle.
But as the Pagans, rendered strong by the defences of the citadel,
declined the engagement, and the Christians could not make a
breach in the wall, a peace was concluded between the Mercians
and the Pagans, and the two brothers, king Aethered and Alfred,
returned home with their troops. *The oratory of St. Andrew the
apostle, at Kemsege, was built and dedicated by Alhun, bishop of
Worcester.
A.D. 869. The aforesaid army of Pagans again rode into North-
umbria, and came to the city of York, and remained there for a
whole year.
A.D. 870. Tlie above-mentioned army of the Pagans passed
through Mercia into East Anglia, and wintered there, at a place
called Thetford.
In the same year Eadmund, the most saintly and glorious king
of the East Angles, was on ^Sunday, the 12th of the kalends of De-
cember [20th Nov.], in the second indiction, martyred by king
tnguar, a thorough pagan, as is related in the history of his passion.
In this year, also, Ceolnoth archbishop of Canterbury died, and was
buried in peace in that city. He was succeeded by the venerable
Aethelred.^
A.D. 871. The pagan army, of detestable memor)^ quitted East
Anglia, and marching into the kingdom of the West Saxons, came
to the royal vill of Reading, situate on the southern bank of the river
Thames, in the country called Berkshire ; and on the third day after
their arrival, two of their earls rode out to plunder, accompanied
by a great number of their troops, while another portion made a
trench on the right of the said royal vill, between the rivers Thames
and Kennet. Aethelulf, ealdorman of Berkshire, and his men,
went up against them, at a place called in the English tongue
Englafeld, and in the Latin The field of the Angles : there the
battle was contested stoutly on both sides. The two armies main-
tained their ground for a long time, when one of the pagan earls
being slain, and the greater part of the army destroyed, and the
rest running away, the Christians gained the victory, and remained
masters of the field of carnage. Four days afterwards, king Aethered
and his brother Alfred, joining their forces and marshalling the
army, came to Reading. Wlien they had succeeded in getting
to the gate of the citadel, by slaying and putting to rout all the
Pagans whom they found outside, the Pagans did not exert them-
' This passage occurs neither in Asser nor the Saxon Chronicle, and is one of
those which Florence must have obtained from local information.
^ These concurrents j^oint to the previous yeai-, A.D. 869.
^ Here and elsewhere B. reads " Aethered."
216 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 871.
selves the less, rushing out like wolves from all the gates, and doing
battle with all their might ; and both sides fought long and fiercely.
But, oh misery ! the Christians at last turned their backs, and the
Pagans gained the victor)^ and remained masters of the field of
death. The said ealdorman Aethelulf was among the number of
the slain. Full of grief and shame at this defeat, the Christians,
four days afterwards, with all their forces and with right good will,
renewed the battle against the before -mentioned host, at a place
called Aescesdun [Ashdown], the Latin interpretation whereof
is " mons fraxini," or the hill of the ash. The Pagans divided
their army into two bodies, and put both in battle array, for
they had with them two kings and several earls, placing one-half of
the army under the two kings, and the other half under the earls.
When the Christians saw this, they too divided their army into two
parts, and as quickly put them in battle array. Alfred brought up
his men sooner and more promptly to the field : for his brother,
king Aethered, was then praying and hearing mass in his tent, and
positively declared that he would not depart thence until the priest
had finished the mass, and that he would not leave his heavenly
duty for earthly business; and he kept his resolution. This faith of
the christian king prevailed much with God, as will be more fully
displayed hereafter. So the Christians resolved, that king Aethered
with his own troops should engage the two pagan kings ; but his
brother Alfred was to be informed that he was, with his troops, to
try the fortune of war against all the pagan earls. Each side having
thus settled its arrangements, and the king being still at his prayers,
and the Pagans all equipped, having come in good time to the
battle-field : Alfred being then the second in command, finding
that he could no longer make head against the enemy, except he
retired from the contest, or charged the enemy before his brother's
arrival, at length manfully, and according to old custom, led the
christian forces against the enemy's army in manner before agreed
on, although the king had not yet arrived ; and relying on God's
counsel and trusting to his assistance, and closing up the ranks of
his division, immediately advanced the standards against the enemy.
At length, having concluded his devotions, king Aethered came up,
and invoking the assistance of the world's mighty Ruler, joined the
contest. But here we must inform those who do not know the
spot, that the combatants were on unequal terms, as far as the
ground was concerned ; for the Pagans had taken possession of an
acclivity, and the Christians had to move their forces up from
below. There was on the spot a rather low thorn-tree, around
which the hostile forces met together with great uproar, the former to
gain their wicked ends, but the latter in defence of their lives, their
dear ones, and their country. After the battle had been kept up
for some time with a great display of courage and ferocity on both
sides, God so ordered it that the Pagans were no longer able to
withstand the attacks of the Christians, and having lost the greater
portion of their army, began an ignominious retreat. Here fell one
of the two pagan kings and five of their earls, and several thousands
of tiieir men were put to flight or slain, some in that place, and all
A.D. 871.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 217
about the plain of Ashdown. So king Bagsegc was slain, and the
old earl Sidroc, and earl Sidroc the younger, earl Osbern, earl
Freana, and earl Harald : and the whole army of the Pagans kept
up the flight until night, and even until the next day, when the
fugitives reached the citadel.
Fourteen days after this, king Aethered and his brother Alfred,
having again united their forces for the purpose of doing battle
against the Pagans, arrived at Baseng: the armies met, and after a
long struggle the Pagans gained the victory.
'After the lapse of two months, king Aethered and his brother
Alfred again fought against the Pagans (who had divided their army
into two bodies) at Merton, and for some time got the better of
them, all the enemy retreating ; but the latter returned to the
charge, and after great slaughter on both sides, the Pagans gained
the victory, and remained masters of the field of carnage.
After Easter in this year, to wit, on the 9th of the kalends of May^
[23d April], king Aethered, having reigned for five years under
trying circumstances, yet with energy, honour, and great credit,
went the way of all flesh, and was buried at Winburne, where he
awaits the coming of our Lord and the first resurrection of the just.
On his death the before-named Alfred, who up to that period,
as long as his brothers lived, had been second in authority, by
God's permission at once succeeded to the entire kingdom, amid
the great good-will of all the inhabitants. And here we think it
proper to insert a brief notice of his infancy and boyhood.
Both his father and mother loved him dearly, and better than all
his brothers ; in fact, he was a great favourite with every one, and
was brought up entirely in the king's court. As he grew up from
childhood, he excelled all his brothers in beauty of shape and coun-
tenance, and in suavity of speech and disposition. But, alas !
owing to the negligence of his parents and nurses, he did not know
how to read until he was twelve years old ; but day and night he
eagerly listened to Saixon poems, and from the frequent recitation
of them by others, easily committed them to memory. In all
varieties of the huntsman's craft, his skill and success were un-
matched, and it was the same with the rest of God's gifts.
It chanced that one day his mother, as she was showing to him and
his brothers a volume of Saxon poetry which she had in her hand,
said, " I will give this book to whichever of you shall first be able to
learn it." Moved by this offer, or rather inspired and attracted by
the beauty of the initial letter of the book, Alfred said to his mother,
"Will you indeed give this book to such one of us as can first
understand it and repeat it to you?" She smiled, and said, " To
him will I give it." Thereupon he took the book from her hand
and went to his master, and he read it ; and when he had finished
reading it, Alfred brought it back to his mother, and recited it to
her. After this, by way of daily task, he learned some psalms and
a number of prayers ; and to the end of his life, day and night he
carried in his bosom, for the purpose of prayer, a volume in which
' This clause does not occur in Asser; compare, however, the Saxon Chronicle.
- This date does not occur in Asser.
218 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 871 —
they were all collected. But, alas ! he was never able to acquire
what he chiefly wished for, namely, the liberal science [of grammar] ,
because at that time there were no grammarians in any part of the
West-Saxon kingdom.
While in the lirst flower of his youth, he was desirous that his
heart should stand firm in God's ordinances, but yet perceived
that he was not free from the lusts of the flesh : so, lest he should
incur God's displeasure by doing anything opposed to his will, he
frequently rose privately at cock-crow and early morn, and went to
pray in churches and before the reliques of saints; and there, long
prostrate, he was wont to pray that Almighty God would in his
mercy strengthen his mind in the love of his ser\'ice, by means of
some infirmity which he might be able to bear, but so nevertheless
that he might not thereby be rendered unworthy and unfit for his
worldly duties. He entreated this very often with great earnest-
ness, and a short time aftenvards he was, by God's permission,
afflicted with the piles. This complaint increased so much in the
course of many years, that even his life was despaired of ; but it
providentially happened that, being in Cornwall, where he had
gone for the purpose of hunting, he turned aside to offer up his
prayers in a certain church, where lie Saint Guerur and Saint
Niot, and prostrating himself for a long time in silent prayer, he
entreated of God's mercy that, in his unbounded love. He would
exchange the pressure of his present troublesome disease for a
somewhat less grievous infirmity; provided only that his person
should not be outwardly afiected thereby, lest he should become an
object of contempt, and unfit for active service. Having con-
cluded his prayer, he resumed his journey ; and shortly afterwards
he perceived that God had cured him of the disease, according to
the tenor of his prayer, so that the complaint was thoroughly
eradicated. But, alas ! when that was removed, another still more
grievous seized him on the day of his marriage, and from his
twentieth to his forty-fifth year, and beyond, preyed upon him
incessantly day and night. By Ealhsuith, his wife, (who has been
mentioned before,) he had the following sons and daughters : —
Aegelfled, his eldest child, then Eadward, then Aethelgeovu, then
Alfthrith, then Aethelwavd. Aethelfled, when she became marriage-
able, was united to Aethered, ealdorman of the Mercians ; Aethel-
geofu made a vow of chastity, and embracing the rules of monastic
life, and becoming a nun, she passed her life in the sei-vice of
God ; Aethelward, the youngest of all, was by the wise counsel
and admirable foresight of the king well provided with literar)'
instruction : and all the nobility, in nearly eveiy part of the
kingdom, and very many of the common people, were put under
the strict care of masters, in order that they might be instructed
in the liberal arts, before they became strong enough for the occu-
pations of the world. Eadward and Alfthrith were entirely brought
up in the king's court, and liberally educated ; with their other
pursuits, they diligently applied themselves to the Psalms and
Saxon books, especially Saxon poems. In the midst of wars and
the manifold disturbances of this life, the inroads of the Pagans,
A.D. 871.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 219
and the every day infirmities of his body, king Alfred, single-handed
and diligently as far as his strength would allow, devoted himself
to the government of his kingdom, hunting of all kinds, the super-
intendence of his goldsmiths and all his mechanics, the keepers of
his falcons, hawks, and hounds, the construction (by means of
machinery invented by himself) of buildings more wonderful and
costly than any which his ancestors had erected, the reading of
Saxon books, and especially the committing to memory of Saxon
poems. He heard mass every day, also some psalms and prayers ;
kept the [canonical] hours day and night, and it was his constant
custom to go by night, unknown to his attendants, into churches for
the purpose of prayer. Never was there an almsgiver more boun-
teous, never was any one more aflable or more pleasant ; never
any one more skilful in the investigation of unexplained subjects.
IVIany of the nobility and commonalty of the Franks, Frieslanders,
Gauls, Pagans, Britons, Scots, and Armoricans, came spontaneously
to live under his rule ; all of whom he treated in the same manner
as he did his own people, governing, favouring, honouring, and
advancing them to wealth and power, in accordance with their
deserts. He was wonderfully kind to his bishops, all the clergy,
his ealdormen and thanes, the officers of his court, and all his
servants. He paid as much attention to the sons of those who were
brought up in the royal family as to his own sons, and was continu-
ally inculcating on them virtuous habits, and amongst other things
assisted personally in their education both by day and night.
Nearly a month after the commencement of his unwilling
reign, (if we may use the expression,) he thought that he should
not be able (unless supported by divine aid) to withstand alone the
severe assaults of the Pagans ; moreover, while his brothers were
alive, and after lie had sustained great losses, he with a small and
veiy unequal force fought fiercely against the whole army of the
Pagans at a hill called Wilton, situate on the south bank of the
river Guilou, from which river the whole region takes its name.
Now when both sides had kept up the fight in all directions, fiercely
and perseveringly, for the greater part of the day, the Pagans began
to see that their danger was imminent ; and being unable any
longer to sustain the attack of their enemies, they turned their
backs and fled. But, oh misery ! they took advantage of the over-
boldness of their pursuers, and again returned to the charge ; and
getting the victory remained masters of the field of carnage. Nor
let any one be surprised that the Christians were only few in
number at this battle ; for the Saxons had been greatly thinned in
the eight battles which they had fought in one year against the
Pagans ; in which eight battles one pagan king and nine earls were
slain, with innumerable followers ; not to mention the countless
daily and nightly attacks on the Pagans which king Alfred and his
generals and men, and also many of the king's thanes, had un-
ceasingly kept up. Omitting those who were slain in the eight
battles before mentioned, no one but God knows how many
thousands of the pagan invaders were slain in those frequent irrup-
tions. In this year the Saxons made peace with the Pagans on
220 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 872—
condition that the latter should depart from tliem; which condition
they obser\'ed.^
A.D. 872. ^Alhun, bishop of the Hwiccas, having died, Were-
frith, a man deeply read in the Scriptures, who had been brouglit
up at the holy church of Worcester, was on the day of Pentecost,^
being the 7th of the ides of June [7th June], ordained bishop by
Aethelred, archbishop of Canterbury. At the command of king
Alfred he made the first translation from Latin into Saxon of the
books of Dialogues of the blessed pope Gregory, and he executed
his task with great accuracy and elegance. The king invited Were-
frith, and (in course of time) Pleigmund, a Mercian, arclibishop of
Canterbur}% a venerable and erudite man, and also Aethelstan and
Werulf, two very learned Mercian priests, to leave INlercia and
come to him, and he advanced them to great honour and power,
in order that they might assist him in his literary studies. More-
over he sent ambassadors to Gaul, and invited thence saint Grim-
bald, priest and monk, a venerable man, a perfect singer, one well
skilled in ecclesiastical disciphne and in the sacred writings, and of
most accomplished manners ; also John, who was both priest and
monk, and a man of very great intellectual acuteness ; Asser, too,
he called out of the monastery of St. David, in the western extre-
mity of Britain. By the wdsdom and teaching of all these, the
king's desire was so increased and fulfilled that in a short time he
could understand any book.
The before-mentioned army of the Pagans went to London, and
wintered there ; and the Mercians made peace with them.*
A.D. 873. That oft-mentioned army evacuated London and
went into Northumbria, and wintered there in the district called
Lindsey ; and the Mercians again made peace with them.^
A.D. 874. Quitting Lindsey, the aforesaid army marched into
Mercia, and wintered at a place called Hreopedun [Repton] ; it
moreover compelled Burhred, king of the Mercians, to quit his
kingdom against his will, in the twenty-second year of his reign,
and go beyond sea and journey to Rome ; he did not long survive
his arrival there, but died in that city, and was honourably interred
in the church of St. Maiy, in the Saxon School, where in company
with the just he waits for the coming of our Lord and the first
resurrection. After his expulsion the Danish pirates subdued the
whole Mercian kingdom ; it was in a miserable condition, and they
made over the government of it to a stupid thane named Ceoluulf,
on condition that he should resign it peaceably to them whenever
they desired. He gave hostages to them for the performance of the
condition, and took an oath that he would in nowise act in opposi-
tion to their will, but be obedient to them in all things.
A.D. 875. The oft-named army quitted Hreopedun [Repton],
' " On the death of Cinefcrth, bishop of Chester, Tunberht succeeded." A.
addition.
^ Tliis first sentence does not occur in Asser. ' Therefore in a.d. 873.
' " Esue succeeded to the bishopric of Hereford, on the death of Aldberht."
A. in a later hand.
^ " On the death of Aldrcd, bishop of Cliester, Ceoh-ed succeeded." LI.
A.D. 878.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 221
and divided itself into two bodies. One of them went with Half-
dene into the Northumbrian district, and wintered there near the
river called Tine, and reduced all the Northumbrian district under
its dominion, and oppressed the Picts and people of Strathclyde.
The other division, with Guthrun, Oskitell, and Amund, three
kings of the Pagans, came to a place called Grantebiycge [Cam-
bridge], and there wintered. In this year king Alfred fought a
naval battle against six of the Pagans' ships, and captured one of
them, the rest escaping.
A.D. 876. The oft-mentioned army of the Pagans left Gran-
tebrycg [Cambridge] by night, and entered the castle called
Werham [Wareham] : there, between the two rivers Fraw and
Terente [Frome and Trent], and in the region which in Saxon is
called Dornseta [Dorset], is a nunnery posted in a most secure
situation, except only on the western and landward side. With
this army king Alfred made a treaty, which was to be lasting, and
bound them to quit his dominions, and the army gave him unhesi-
tatingly as many hostages as he chose to select ; moreover they
swore upon all the reliques in which next to God they most put
their trust, and upon which they had always refused to swear to
any other people, that they would depart from his kingdom as
quickly as possible. Nevertheless, acting deceitfully as usual, and
regarding neither their hostages, nor their oath, nor their plighted
faith, they violated the treaty, and one night killed all the king's
horsemen. Turning thence, the army came unexpectedly to another
place, called in Saxon Eaxancestre [Exeter], and in Latin the
city of Exe, situate on the eastern bank of that river, and near
the southern sea which lies between Gaul and Britain. 'King
Alfred assembled an army and followed them, but could not over-
take them, because they had just entered the city ; but he extorted
from them as hostages whomsoever and as many as he chose, and
made a firm treaty with them, which they observed faithfully for a
considerable time ; and they wintered at that place. In the same
year the pagan king Halfdene divided the IN^orthumbrian region
between himself and his followers, and took up his residence there
with his army. 'On the 15th of the kalends of December [17th
Nov.], Rollo and his forces entered Normandy.
A.D. 877. ^The pagan army which had been left with the fleet
at Wereham came to Exeter ; but before reaching that city, one
hundred and twenty of their ships were sunk by a tempest. Wlien
autumn arrived, a portion of the Pagans remained at Exeter, and
part marched into Mercia, and gave a portion of it to Ceoluulf, to
whose charge it had been committed, as before mentioned, and
divided the remainder among themselves.
A.D. 878. The oft-named army, leaving Exeter, marched to
Chippenham, a royal town, situate in the left-hand part of Wilt-
shire, and wintered there, and by force of arms compelled many of
the inhabitants of those parts to go beyond sea in consternation
' This sentence is not in Asser. See the Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 877.
2 Not in Asser nor the Saxon Chronicle.
3 See the Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 887. This sentence is not found in Asser.
222 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 878—
and poverty, and brought under tlieir dominion nearly all the
inhabitants. At that time king Alfred, with a few of his nobles
and some vassals, led a most disturbed and sorrowful life in the
marshy woods of Somersetshire ; for he had no means of subsist-
ence, except what in frequent forays he took either secretly or
openly from the Pagans, or those Christians who had submitted to
the Pagans.
In the same year, the brother of Inguare and of Halfdene came
with twenty-three ships from Demetia^ [West Wales], (where he
had wintered, and made great havoc among the Christians,) to
Devonshire, and there, in front of the citadel of Cynuit, he and
twelve hundred of his followers were, in the midst of their wicked-
ness, miserably slain by the king's thanes, many of whom had shut
up themselves and their families in that fort for the sake of security.
But the Pagans, seeing that the fort was unprepared for a siege,
and wholly undefended, except by walls constructed in our usual
mode, did not attempt to take it by storm, (because the place is by
its position naturally very secure on every side except the east,)
but made preparations for besieging it ; thinking that as there was
no water near the fort, hunger and thirst, and the consciousness of
being in a state of siege, would soon compel its defenders to sur-
render. But they were disappointed in their expectations ; for
before being reduced to such extremities, the Christians, nerved
thereto by divine inspiration, and preferring either to die or to
conquer, made an unexpected sally upon the Pagans very early in
the morning, and at the very first onset overthrew their king and
the greater part of his army, only a veiy few of them escaping to
their ships.
After Easter in the same year, king Alfred with a small force
constructed a fortress at a place ctUled Aethelingaeig [Athelney],
and from that fortress, in conjunction with his Somersetshire
vassals, kept up a continued and indefatigable war against the
Pagans. Again, in the seventh" week after Easter, he rode on to
Egbriht's Stone, in the eastern part of the forest called Sealuudu
[Selwood], the Latin denomination of which is. The great wood ;
and there he was met by all the people of Somersetshire, Wiltshire
and Hampshire whom the fear of the Pagans had not driven beyond
sea ; who, when they saw the king, come to life again, as it were,
after so many troubles, were deservedly elated, and encamped there
for one night. Early on the following morning, the king broke up
the camp, and came to a place called Ecglea, and encamped there
for one night. Moving thence on the next day, he came to a place
called Ethandun : there he fought a tremendous battle against the
entire and close-serried pagan army, and after keeping it up for
a long time with great spirit, at length, by God's help, he gained
the victory, and overthrew the Pagans with gi-eat carnage. He
pursued the fugitives as far as their fortress, and captured every-
thing which he found outside, whether men, horses, or sheep ; put
the men to death immediately, and then boldly encamped with all
his army before the gates of the pagan fortress. After he had
> See Camel. Brit. col. 621, ed. 1G95. 2 B. reads "in the fourth."
A.D. 882.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER, 223
remained there a fortnight, hunger, cold and fear drove the Pagans
to the lowest depths of despair, and they sued for peace, consenting
that the king should take as many hostages of his own selection as
he pleased, and should give them nothing in return ; terms of
peace such as they had never before made with any one. After
hearing their proposition, the king's compassion was moved, and
he took as hostages as many as, and whomsoever he pleased. After
they were delivered over, the Pagans swore in addition that they
would depart as quickly as possible from his kingdom ; and more-
over, their king Guthrum promised to embrace Christianity, and
receive baptism at the hands of king Alfred. He and his men
performed all that they promised ; for seven weeks afterwards,
Guthrum, the king of the Pagans, with thirty of the most chosen
men of his army, came to king Alfred at a place called Aalr [AUer],
near Aethelingaeig [Athelney] : the king stood godfather to him at
the font of holy baptism, and gave him the name of Aethelstan :
his chrism-loosing took place eight days afterwards at the royal
town of Weadmor [Wedmore]. For twelve days after his baptism,
he lodged with the king, who generously gave to him and all his
attendants several superb houses.
A.D. 879. The aforesaid pagan army removed, according to
promise, from Cippanham [Chippenham], and came to Cirencester,
which is situate in the southern part of the Wiccian territory, and
remained there for a year. In the same year a great army of the
Pagans sailed over from the parts beyond sea, and came to the river
Thames, and united with the before-mentioned army ; they win-
tered, however, at a place called FuUanham [Fulham], by the side
of the river Thames.
In this year,* also, an eclipse of the sun occurred between nones
and vespers, but nearer nones. ^Dunbert, bishop of Winchester,
died, and was succeeded by Deneulf. If report may be credited,
he was, up to an advanced age, not only illiterate, but a herdsman:
king Alfred, while retiring from the violence of his enemies and a
fugitive in a forest, chanced to meet him as he was feeding swine.
Finding that he was a man of talent, the king caused him to be
educated ; and, when he was sufficiently advanced, made him
bishop of Winchester, thinking that he was indicated by God for
the office.
A.D. 880. The oft-mentioned pagan army evacuated Ciren-
cester, and went to East Anglia, and parcelled out and began to
settle in that district. In the same year the pagan army which had
wintered at Fullanham [Fulham] quitted Britain, and sailing again
beyond sea, arrived at the eastern part of France, and remained for
a year at a place called Gendi, that is, Gent.
A.D. 881. The oft-mentioned army of the Pagans arrived in
France, and the Franks fought against it. At the end of the battle,
the Pagans, having obtained horses, became an army of cavalry.
A.D. 882. The aforesaid army of the Pagans drew their ships up
the river called Mese [Meuse] into the heart of France, and
> This eclip.=ie happened on the 14th March, 880.
2 Not in Asser ; but see "William of Malmesbury, De Gestis Pontiff.
224 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 883—
wintered there for a year. In the same year king Alfred fought a
naval battle against the pagan fleet : he captured two of them, and
slew all who were in them ; and the commanders of two others, with
all their comrades, being grievously wounded in the engagement, laid
down their arms, and on bended knees and with humble supplica-
tions surrendered themselves to the king.
A.D. 883. The aforesaid army drew its ships up the river called
Scaldad [Scheld], against the stream, to the monastery called
Candath [Conde], and remained there for a year. 'Asser, bishop
of Scireburne [Sherborne], died, and was succeeded by Suithelm,
who was the bearer of king Alfred's alms to St. Thomas in India,
and returned thence in safety.
A.D. 884. Marinus was pope. He, for the love that he bore to,
and at the request of, Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, exonerated
from all toll and tribute the School of the Saxons resident at Rome.
He also sent over many presents to that king, and amongst others
a large piece of the most holy cross on which our Lord Jesus
Christ hung to obtain salvation for man. The aforesaid army of
the Pagans entered the river Sunne [Somme], and sailing up as far
as Amiens, remained there for a year.
A.D. 885. 'The aforesaid army of the Pagans divided itself into
two bodies, of which one went into Eastern France ; but the other
division, coming over to Britain, landed in Kent, and laid siege to the
city which is called in Saxon Rochester, situate on the eastern bank
of the river Medway. Opposite the gate of this city the Pagans, with
great expedition, built up a strong castle ; nevertheless, they were
unable to take the city, because the citizens defended themselves
manfully, until such time as king Alfred came up with a large army
which he had collected for their assistance. On the sudden arrival
of the king, the Pagans quitted their castle ; and, abandoning all the
horses which they had brought with them from France, and dis-
missing the greater proportion of their prisoners, fled in haste to
their ships. The Saxons immediately took possession of the cap-
tives and horses which the Pagans had abandoned. So the Pagans,
driven thereto by urgent necessity, returned that summer to France.
In the same year, Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, steered his
fleet filled with warriors from Kent towards East Anglia, with the
intention of pillaging. When they arrived at the mouth of the
river Stour, sixteen ships of the Pagans immediately came out to
oppose them. The battle began, and after sharp fighting on both
sides the Pagans were all slain, and all their ships and money were
captured. As the royal fleet was returning in triumph the pagan
inhabitants of East Anglia collected ships from all quarters, and
putting out to sea came upon it at the mouth of the river : an
engagement took place, and the Pagans gained the victoiy.
As Carloman, king of the Western Franks, was boar-hunting he
met with a miserable end, being torn by the horrid tusk of a huge
beast which he had singly attacked. His brother Louis, who was
also king of the Franks, had died three years previously. They
' The death of Asser finds no place in the Saxon Chronicle.
" See Asser, a.d. 884.
A.n. 887.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 225
were both sons of Louis, king of the Franks, who died in the year
above mentioned when the edipse of the sun took place. The
latter was son of Charles, king of the Franks, whose daughter
Judith became, with her father's consent, the queen of Aethelwulf,
king of the West Saxons.
In this year, also, a great pagan army came down from Germany
into the country of the Old Saxons. The Saxons and Frieslanders
united their forces, and fought valiantly against them twice in
one year ; in which two battles the Christians, by God's merciful
assistance, gained the victoiy.
Moreover, in this year, Charles [the Fat], king of the Germans,
succeeded by universal consent to the kingdom of the West Franks
and all the kingdoms which lie between the Tuscan sea and the
bay which lies between Old Saxony and Gaul, the kingdom of Armo-
rica excepted. This Charles was the son of king Louis, who was
the brother of Charles, king of the Franks, who was the father of
the before-mentioned Judith : the two brothers were sons of Louis,
who was the son of Pepin.
In this year, moreover, an army of the Pagans who dwelt in East
Anglia disgracefully broke the peace which they had concluded with
king Alfred.
A.D. 886. The pagan army so often mentioned, leaving Eastern
France, came again unto the country of the Western Franks ; and
entering the mouth of the river Seine, and sailing up a great way,
came to the city of Paris and wintered there. They besieged the
city for the whole of that year, but, through God's merciful inter-
position, they were unable to force its defences.
In the same year. Alfred, the king of the Anglo-Saxons, after all
this burning of cities and slaughter of people, rebuilt the city of
London in a splendid manner, and made it fit for habitation, and
then placed it under the government of Aethered, ealdorman of the
Mercians. All the Angles and Saxons who previously had been
either dispersed in all quarters, or were free servants in the hands
of the Pagans, came to this king, and voluntarily placed themselves
under his dominion.
A.D. 887. The aforesaid army of the Pagans, finding that they
could not otherwise succeed in their enterprise, left the city of Paris
untaken, and for a considerable time rowed their fleet up the river
Seine until they came to the mouth of the river Materne [Marne] :
they then left the Seine, and entered the mouth of the Marne.
They made a long and distant voyage up this river, and at last,
after much exertion, they came to a place called Caziei [Chezy],
which means. The royal town, and passed the whole of the
winter there. In the following year they entered the mouth of the
river lona [Yonne], doing great damage to the neighbourhood ; and
there they remained for a year. In this year Charles, king of the
Franks, went the way of all flesh ; but, six weeks before his death,
he had been driven from the kingdom by Arnulf, his brother's son.
Immediately after his decease, five kings were chosen, and the king-
dom was divided into five parts ; but nevertheless, the chief seat of
the kingdom fell to the possession of Arnulf, and that rightly and
VOL. II. Q
226 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 8S7.
deservedly, if we except his sinful indignity to his uncle. The four
other kings very properly promised fealty and ohedience to Arnulf,
for not one of those four had any hereditary right to the kingdom,
as Arnulf alone had. So, on Charles's death, live kings were chosen ;
but the supreme dominion remained with Arnulf. The division of
the kingdom was in this wise : Arnulf had the countries to the east
of the river Rhine, Hrothulf [Rodolph] the interior part of the
kingdom, Oda [Eudes] had the western [portion of the] kingdom,
Beorngar [Berengar] and Witha [Guido] had Lombardy and the
parts on that side of the mountains [Alps]. With such extensive and
important kingdoms they nevertheless did not keep peace among
themselves : for twice they fought general pitched battles, and mu-
tually laid waste each other's kingdoms, and each in turn expelled
the others from their dominions.
In this year Athelelm, ealdorman of the Wiltshire-men, carried
the alms of king Alfred and the Saxons to Rome. In the same
year, too, on the feast-day of St. Martin, bishop of Tours [11th
Nov.], the oft-named Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, by God's
direction, began for the first time to read, and at the same time to
explain the meaning [of what he read]. Though enjoying regal
power, that king was pierced through with many afflictions. For,
as we have mentioned, he was, from his twentieth to his forty-fiftli
year, and beyond it, continually suffering from the severe attacks of an
inexplicable disorder : so that he did not pass a single hour in which
he was not either suffering from it, or in melancholy fear of it.
Besides this, he was constantly disturbed by the unremitting in-
vasions of foreigners, kept up both by sea and by land, without any
interval of peace. What shall 1 say of his frequent expeditions
against the Pagans, of his wars, of his unceasing attention to affairs
of state, of his reparations of towns and cities, and his building
others in places where none formerly existed, of buildings glittering
with gold and silver, exquisitely constructed under his own imme-
diate directions, of the royal halls and chambers of w'onderful wood
and stone work which he ordered to be built, of the royal vills built
of stone, removed from their ancient sites, and by his royal mandate
elegantly rebuilt in more suitable positions ? True it is, that though
he stood alone, yet, God being his helper, he did not suffer the
helm of government to which he had once put his hand, to waver
or become unsteady in passing through the billowy and manifold
tempests of this present life. For, always, and with the greatest
tact, he brought his bishops, ealdormen, the most noble and inti-
mate of his thanes, and those who held command under him, to
subserve his own will and the common weal of the whole kingdom ;
gently instructing, or advising, or commanding them, and at last,
after long endurance, severely punishing the disobedient ; for he
held vulgar stupidity and obstinacy in utter abomination. If, w'hen
tlie king commanded, his orders were, by reason of the people's
indolence, either neglected, or, attended to only after long procras-
tination, were not ready sufficiently early to be of use to those who
required them in time of need ; for instance, fortresses which he
had ordered to be built, but which had not yet been begun, or from
A.D. SS7.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 22?
having been begun too late, had not been completed, and the
enemy's forces had broke in by sea and by land ; — then the oppo-
nents of the royal decrees, touched with a too late repentance, were
sorely troubled that they had not paid sufficient attention to the
king's commands, vied in praising his wisdom, which they had denied
before, and promised to strain every nerve to complete the works.
This king, among his other good deeds, commanded two monas-
teries to be built, one for monks, at the place called Aethelingaeig
[Athelney] ; whereof, monks of difierent orders being collected, he
made John, by birth an Old Saxon, and both priest and monk, first
abbot. He also caused a monastery for nuns to be erected, in a
convenient situation near the eastern gate of Shaftesbury, and made
his own daughter, Aethelgeofu, who had taken the vow of virginity,
abbess thereof : and these two monasteries he richly endowed with
landed possessions and all manner of treasures. Moreover, he pro-
mised that he would piously and faithfully dedicate to God one-lialf
of all his lawful and ordinary annual income : and he applied him-
self, heart and soul, to do it. Lastly, God moving him thereunto,
he ordered his ministers to divide into two equal portions the fiscal
revenues of each year. When this had been done, he caused one-
half to be again subdivided into three parts : one of which he divided
annually between his noble thanes, who were always by turns engaged
in his service, taking the administration of different offices. For
the king's attendants were wisely divided into three sections, one
of whicli remained for a month, night and day, in his service ; at
the end of the month another section took its place, and the first
returned home and remained there two months, attending to family
affairs : when another month had ended, the third section arrived,
and then the second returned home and remained there for two
months; the third, their monthly term of service having expired, and
tlie first section having again come round, likewise returned home
and remained there for two months. In this mode was the king's
administration conducted during the whole of his vicissitudinous
hfe. Another third [he distributed] amongst the almost innu-
merable skilful builders whom he had collected and hired from
different countries. The remaining third he joyfully and with
admirable judgment apportioned between the foreigners who came
to him from all countries, far and near, and asked for pecuniary
assistance ; aye, and even those who did not ask it. The second of
these two portions of all his fiscal revenues he ordered his ministers to
divide into four exactly equal portions, to the intent that one portion
should be discreetly expended on the poor people who should come
to him, of whatever country they might chance to be ; another
portion he gave to the two monasteries which had been built by his
command, and to the servants of God therein ; a third to the school
which he had made up, with great pains, of the children of the nobi-
lity and also the lower orders of his people. The fourth portion he
distributed among the neighbouring monasteries of Saxony and
Mercia, and also in some years, by turns and as he was able, among
the churches of Britain, Cornwall, Gaul, Armorica, Northumbria, and
Ireland. Having made these orderly arrangements, he vowed that
q2
228 CHURCH HISTORIANS OK ENGLAND. [a.D. 887—
he would strenuously devote to God half the powers of his mind
and body, both by day and by night, so far as his infirmities, oppor-
tunity, and necessities would permit. So he began to devise some
means whereby he might prescr\-e his vow unbroken until death.
At length, after sensible and careful consideration, he sent for a
quantity of wax, and had it weighed against pennies : and when a
weight of wax equivalent to seventy-two pennies had been measured
off, he ordered his chaplains to make therewith six candles of equal
size, each being twelve inches in length, and having the inches
marked upon them. By this method those six candles kept burning
day and night without intermission, for twenty-four hours, before the
reliques of different saints, which always accompanied the king.
Moreover, as into other things, so into the administration of justice,
the king was wont to make most careful inquiries. For he used to
scrutinize with great sagacity the judgments which were given in
his absence nearly all over the kingdom ; considering of what cha-
racter they were, whether just or unjust ; and if he discovered any
iniquity therein, he would mildly interrogate the judges, either by
himself or by his confidants, why they gave such unrighteous judg-
ments ? whether it was by reason of ignorance or malevolence ? if
it was for the love, or fear, or hate of any person, or for the hope of
pecuniary reward ? If the judges asserted that they had so given
judgment because they had been unable to arrive at a better con-
clusion, he discreetly and quietly rebuked their ignorance and fool-
ishness, saying, " I marvel greatly at your insolence in having, by
God's grace and mine, taken upon yourself the office and rank of
men of wisdom, and yet neglected the study and practice of wisdom.
Wherefore I command you, either at once to resign the exercise of
the earthly power which you now hold, or to apply yourselves much
more seriously than heretofore to the study of wisdom." Alarmed
at these words, and as though they had suffered the greatest possible
punishment, the ealdormen and governors strove to devote all their
powers to the study of jurisprudence, so that almost all the ealdor-
men who had been illiterate from their infancy, and his governors
and thanes, applied themselves in a wonderful manner to learn the
study of learning, preferring to undergo the labour of such unwonted
pupilage, rather than to lose their situations. If any one was not
able to attain much proficiency in learning, by reason of old age or
of the over-slowness of a hitherto unexerted intellect, he would
make his son (if he had one), or some other relation, or in default
thereof, one of his freemen or serfs, whom he had long previously
employed to read to him, recite Saxon compositions to him, by day
or by night, whenever he had leisure. Those old men sighed
lieavily, and heartily grieved, that in their vouth they had not
attended to such pursuits ; thinking the youths of that present time
fortunate in being able to study successfully the liberal arts, but
considering themselves unfortunate in that they neither studied them
while young, nor were able to acquire them in old age, though they
most ardently desired to do so.'
' From tho year 819 to this point, Florence has liberally nscd Assor; hence-
foi'wanl the S;<.xou Chronicle may be courivilted with advantage.
A.D. S94.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 229
A.D. 888.
A.D. 889. A noble ealdorman, named Beocca, carried the alms
of king Alfred and the West Saxons to Rome. In the same year
Aethelsuith, the king's sister, and queen of Burhred, king of the
Mercians, died and was buried at Ticino [Pavia]. In this year too,
and in the same month, died Aethelwold the ealdorman, and Aethel-
red archbishop of Canterbury; the latter was succeeded in the arch-
bishopric by Pleigmund, a man of extensive literary acquirements.
A.D. 890.
A.D. 891. Abbot Beornhelm carried the alms of king Alfred
and of the West Saxons to Rome. Guthrum, king of the North-
men, to whom, as we mentioned before, king Alfred stood god-
father, and gave the name of Aethelstan, died this year. He dwelt
with his people in East Anglia, and first took up his abode in, and
possession of that province, after the martyrdom of the holy king
Edmund. In the same year, the oft-mentioned pagan army left
the Seine and went to a place called Santlaudan [St. Lo], situate
between France and Armorica : the Britons fought against them,
and gained the victory, some being slain with the edge of the sword,
some put to flight, and some drowned in the river.
A.D. 892. The aforesaid pagan army left Eastern, and went to
Western France : but before their fleet could join them, the
emperor Arnulf, with the East Franks, Old Saxons, and Bavarians,
attacked the land army and put it to flight. Three Scots, named
Dusblan, Mahbethu, and Malmumin, desiring to lead a pilgrim's
life for the service of God, took with them provisions for one week,
fled secretly from Ireland, and, entering a canoe made of only two
hides and a half, and although they were unfurnished with sails or
other instruments of navigation, by wonderful chance they landed
in Cornwall, after a voyage of seven days : they afterwards paid a
visit to king Alfred. In the same year died Swifneh, the best
teacher among the Scots. In this year, too, a star called a comet
was seen about rogation week.^
A.D. 893. The land and sea forces of the Pagans, quitting
Eastern France, came to Boulogne, and thence, with their horses,
crossed over to Kent in two hundred and fifty ships, landed at the
mouth of the river Limene [Lyme] , which runs out of the great forest
of Andred. From the mouth of that river they drew their ships
four miles up into the forest, where they demolished a half-built
fort, which was inhabited by a few villeins, and built for themselves
a stronger one at a place called Apultreo [Appledore]. A short
time afterwards the pagan king, Haesten, entered the mouth of the
river Thames with eighty light barks, and built for himself a
fortress in the royal vill called Middleton.
A.D. 894. The Pagans who inhabited Northumbria swore to a
lasting peace with king Alfred : so did those who dwelt in East
Anglia, and in addition gave six hostages. But they broke the
treaty, and as often as the pagan army residing in Kent quitted
their forts for the purpose of plundering, they too either joined
1 " On the death of bishop Swithelm of Shirburn, Ethilwerd succeeded." A.
by a second scribe.
230 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 894.
with the latter, or went plundering on their own account wherever
they could. When king Alfred heard of it he took a portion of his
army with him, leaving part at home, as was his custom, and, placing
some as garrisons in forts and cities, marched with great expedition
into Kent, and encamped between the two pagan armies, in a
place of great natural strength, inasmuch as it was surrounded
on all sides by streams, whose waves ran high, and whose banks
were steep, and woods jutted out on all sides : in order that if the
enemy took the field for the purpose of plundering or fighting, he
might engage them without delay. But they, going about robbing
in bands, sometimes on horse, and sometimes on foot, took every
opportunity of plundering in those places where they ascertained
there were none of the king's forces. But nearly every one, not
only in the king's army, but also in the cities, let no opportunity
slip of slaughtering them day and night, when they were oti' their
guard, and thereby so disquieted them, that, quitting Kent, which
they had again ravaged, they all in a body deserted the place where
they had settled : for they had all gone out together for the purpose
of plunder, when they first took up their abode in those districts.
But this time they took a larger and richer booty, and determined
to cross the river Thames with it, reach East Saxony, and join their
fleet, which they had sent on before. They were, however, prevented
by the king's army, and, a battle being fought near Feornham, in
which they lost not only their booty, but also the horses which
they had brought from beyond sea, they were all put to flight, and
retreated to an island formed by the windings of the river Colne,
having crossed the Thames at a place where there was no ford.
There they were kept in a state of siege for such a long time, that
the king's army began to lack provisions, and the appointed period
came as well for its return home, as for the advance of the other
army. That army therefore returned home, and king Alfred with
his division made all haste to arrive at the spot ; but the Pagans,
inasmuch as tlieir king was grievously wounded, and they could not
therefore carry him off with tliem, still kept their position. While
king Alfred was yet on his march for the purpose of dislodging the
enemy, behold, news came to him that the Pagans of Nortlumibria
and East Anglia had collected two hundred and forty ships, and
that some had sailed round to the south coast of England with
a hundred ships, and others to the northern coast of [that part
of] England with forty ships, and that the former were besiegin;
Exeter, and the latter a certain fort in Devonshire, with a strong
force. When he heard this, the king was moved, not to fear by
reason of the audacity of the enemy, but to fury by reason of his
subjects being besieged. He collected all his cavalry without
delay, and rode to Exeter, leaving a small force behind to carry on
the war against the enemy of whom he had previously been in
pursuit. Then they marched to London, and [thence] in company
with the citizens, and those who had come to their assistance from
the western part of P^ngland, arrived at Beanflot [Benfleet] : for
they heard that a large army which had been posted at Apultreo
[Appledore] had assembled there, and that king Haesten and his
A.D. 894.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 231
army had arrived from Middleton and had constructed a fort there,
but had then again made a descent for the object of phmder. This
Haesten had, a short time previously, on the occasion of the peace
which he made with king Alfred, given very many hostages, and at
king Alfred's request, had allowed his two sons to be baptized ;
king Alfred standing godfather for one, and the most noble ealdor-
man Aethered for the other. But on his arrival at Beanflot
[Benfleet], king Haesten hastily threw up fortifications, and anon
laid waste the confines of the kingdom of his son's godfather,
Aethered. So a severe battle was fought with the Pagans, and the
Christians put them to flight at the first onset, demolished their
works, took whatever they found there, carried their wives and
children to London, sunk some of their ships, burned others, and
transported some to London and Rochester. They took king
Haesten's wife and two daughters before he returned to Beanflot
[Benfleet], from his plundering expedition, and brought them to
king Alfred; He did no injury to them, for, as we have before
mentioned, one of the boys was his own, and the other was earl
Aethered's godson ; but, again making peace and receiving hostages,
he not only restored to the suppliant father his wife and children,
but presented him with a large sum of money. Afterwards the
king vvent to Exeter, at the earnest entreaty of his said subjects
there ; and then, the Pagans, terrified at his arrival, retired to their
ships, and returning to their old place of abode, began plundering
in the neighbourhood of the city called in the English tongue
Cissaceastre [Chichester], situate in the province of the South
Saxons. But being put to flight by the citizens, the greater
number of them were either killed or wounded, and very many of
their ships were captured. In the meantime, the pagan army
which was routed by the Christians at Benfleet, as before men-
tioned, came to a city of East Saxony, called in the English tongue
Sceobyrig [Shoebury], and there built themselves a strong fort.
Being joined by numerous Pagans from Northumbria and East
Anglia, they began plundering, first, on the banks of the Thames,
and then on the banks of the Severn. The noble ealdormen,
Aethered, Athelm, and Athelnoth, and others of the king's
thanes, to whom he had entrusted the defence of different forts,
towns, and cities, not only eastward of Pedreda [the river Parret],
but also westward of Selwood, and not only on the north, but also
on the south of the Thames, not being able to endure any longer
this terrible annoyance, collected a great army against the enemy,
and were joined by auxiliaries from the Welsh who dwelt west of
the Severn. Uniting in one body, they marched in pursuit of the
enemy, and came up with him at Buttingtun, on the banks of the
Severn, and presently besieged from both sides of the river the
fortress into which he retreated. After the lapse of some weeks,
some of the Pagans died of starvation, and some, having been
reduced to eat their horses, broke out of the fort, and engaged
with the besiegers on the eastern bank of the river. After slaughter-
ing many thousands of the Pagans, and putting all the rest to flight,
the Christians remained masters of the field of carnage. In this
232 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 895—
battle the most noble Ordeah and many of the king's thanes were
slain. On the approach of winter the fugitive Pagans, after having
retired to East Saxony, and reached their forts and ships, again
collected a great army from East Anglia and Northumbria. Leaving
their wives, their wealth, and their ships in East Anglia, and
quitting their fortresses, they made a forced march, and entered the
City of Legions [Chester], (which was at that time deserted,)^ called
in Saxon Legeceastre, before the lieutenants of the army of king
Alfred and Aethered, who were in pursuit, could overtake them.
However, they cut off" and slew some of them, rescued the flocks
of cattle and sheep which they had taken while pillaging, besieged
the city for two days, burnt some of the corn-tields, and turned
their horses into the others. These events occurred within the
interval of one year after they [the Pagans] came from Gaul to the
mouth of the river Limene.
A.D. 895. The oft-mentioned pagan army, having nothing
whereon to subsist (for the Christians had deprived them of every-
thing), invaded the territory of the North Britons, and laying it
waste far and wide, carried off" immense booty. Not daring to
retrace their steps through Mercia, for fear of the Mercians, tliey
marched first tlirough Northumbria, and then through the country
of the Middle Angles ; and having rejoined their wives and ships in
East Anglia, betook themselves to a little island in the sea, called
Meresig [Mersey], oft" the eastern coast of East Saxony. In the
same year they drew their ships up the river Thames, and after a
while up the river Ligea [Lea], and began to build themselves a fort
hard by that river, twenty miles from London.
A.D. 896. In the summer a great number of the citizens of
London, assisted by many people from neighbouring places,
endeavoured to demolish the fort which the Pagans had built :
but the latter stoutly resisted the attack, and the Christians were
put to flight, four of king Alfred's thanes being killed. In the
autumn that king encamped not far from the city, in order to
prevent the Pagans from forcibly carrying off the people's crops.
One day, as he was riding along the banks, he looked out for a sj)ot
M'here he could block up the bed of the river, and so prevent the
Danes from bringing out their ships : and without delay he caused
impediments to be erected on both sides. When the Pagans
heard this, they again left their wives in East Anglia, and aban-
doning their ships, fled swiftly, on foot, to a place called Quatbricg ;
and building a fort, passed the winter there. The Londoners
transported some of the ships to London, and broke up others.
A.D. 897. In the summer, a portion of the pagan army which
had wintered at Quatbricg went to East Anglia, and another
portion to Northumbria ; some of them remained in those places,
but others procured ships and went over to the river Seine. Oli !
with what incessant troubles, with what grievous trials, in what
dreadful and lamentable ways was all iMigland harassed, not only by
the Danes who held possession of diff"erent parts of her, but also by
' The pa3.=>ngo within parentheses does not occur in any copy of the Saxon
Chronicle.
A.D. 901.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 233
these children of Satan. Nevertheless, for the space of three years
she suffered much more, from a murrain among the cattle, and a
mortality among the nobility, many of whom, chiefly the king's
thanes, died during that period. Among these were Suithulf, bishop
of Rochester ; Ealheard, bishop of Dorchester ; Ceolmund, the
Kentish ealdorman ; Beoi'htulf, the East- Saxon ealdorman ; Eadulf,
tlie king's thane in Souch Saxony; Beornulf, wic-reeve of Win-
chester ; Ecgulf, the king's horse-thane, and very many others ; but
those above named were of the highest dignity. In the same year
the army of the Pagans who inhabited East Anglia and Northumbria
grievously annoyed the West Saxons, pillaged stealthily along the
sea-coast, chiefly in long, swift ships, which they had constructed
several years before. To oppose them, king Alfred ordered ships
to be built, of twice the length and twice as deep, which were
swifter and did not heel so mach, so that by their weight they might
destroy the enemy's ships. These were put to sea, with orders
from the king to take as many prisoners as they could, and to kill
such of the enemy as they could not take alive. So in that year
twenty ships full of Danish pirates were taken, some of whom were
slain, and the rest were brought to the king alive, and hung on
gibbets.^
A.D. 898, 899.
A.D. 900. Healhstan, bishop of London, died, and was succeeded
by Theodred. Eardulf, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and was suc-
ceeded by the pious Cuthard.
A.D. 901. Renowned, warlike, and victorious, — a careful pro-
vider for the necessities of widows, wards, orphans, and the poor, —
the most skilful of Saxon poets, — adored by his subjects, and affable
and most liberal to all, — a man of prudence, fortitude, justice, and
temperance, — most patient under the infirmity which troubled
him, — most discreet and persevering in enforcing the judgments
[of his courts of law], — most watchful and devout in the service of
God,— Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, son of the most pious
king Aethelwulf, died on Wednesday, the 5th of the ^kalends of
November [28th Oct.], in the fourth indiction, having reigned
twenty-nine years and six months ; he was buried at the New
Monastery in Winchester, and waits the robe of a blessed immor-
tality and the glory of the resurrection with the just. He was
succeeded by his son Eadward, surnamed the Elder, inferior to his
father in the cultivation of literature, but his equal in dignity and
power, and his superior in glory. For, as will be shown hereafter,
he extended the limits of his kingdom much beyond what his father
had done ; moreover, he built many cities and towns, and rebuilt
some which had been destroyed : he wrested from the hands of the
Danes all East Saxony, East Anglia, Northumbria, and several
IVIercian provinces, which they had long possessed : after the death
of his sister Aegelfled he obtained possession of, and retained, the
' " On the death of ^thelward, bishop of Shirburn, the see was vacant for
seven years, in consequence of the pressure of the enemy." This addition in A.
by another scribe, is copied from Malmesbury.
2 See the Saxon Chronicle, which assigns a different date.
234 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 902—
whole of Mercia : all the kings of the Scots, Cumbrians, Strathclyde
Britons, and West Britons submitted to him : many were the kings
and earls whom he conquered in battle and slew. By a woman of
noble birth, named Eg\vina, he had Aethelstan, his tirst-born son ;
by his queen Eadgiva he had three sons, namely, Eadwin, Eadmund,
and Eadred, a daughter named Eadburg, a virgin of the greatest
piety, and three other daughters. Of the latter. Otto, the emperor
of the Romans, married one ; another was married to Charles, king
of the Western Franks, whose aunt by the father's side, a daughter
of the emperor Charles, was married to Aethclwulf, king of the
West Saxons ; Sihtric, king of the Northumbrians, married the
third daughter. The etheling Aethehvald, cousin-german of this
king Eadward, took forcible possession of one of the king's towns,
called Tuueoxbeam,* without the permission of the king or his
magnates ; he also took another, called Winburn,^ (where, as we
have before mentioned, St. Cuthburg, sister of king Ini, built a
monastery for nuns,) and fortified it with gates and bars. On
hearing this, king Eadward assembled an army, and encamped near
Winburn, at a place called in the English tongue Baddanbyrig.^
The king immediately commanded the etheling to evacuate the
place without delay. He refused, saying that he would live or die
there. But his boast was vain : for, affrighted at the numbers of
the king's army, he fled away by night, and went to Northumbria,
where he requested the Danes to allow him to join them, not so
much in the capacity of a leader as of a comrade : they, ver)' shortly
afterwards, made him their king. The king complained much of
the indignity of such a desertion, and sent men to pursue him with
all speed : but finding it impossible to take him, he seized the nun
whom he had married against her will and without the permission
of the bishops, and ordered her to be taken back to her monastery
at Winburn.
A.D. 902.
A.D. 903. The stout ealdorman, Aethulf, brother of queen Ealh-
suith, the mother of king Eadward, and Virgil, a venerable Scotch
abbot, died. The priest Grimbold also, a man of great holiness,
and one of the masters of king Alfred, entered on the joys of the
heavenly kingdom.
A.D. 904. The men of Kent fought a battle against a host of
Danish pirates, at a place called Holme ; * and they got the victory.
The etheling AethcKvold returned to England from the parts beyond
sea, with a numerous fleet, some of which he had purchased, and
the rest whereof he had got together from East Anglia.
A.D. 905. *An eclipse of the moon occurred. The etheling
Aethelwold invited the Danes who dwelt in East Anglia, by ?.
promise of a large share in the spoil, to accompany him in a plun-
dering expedition into the Mercian territory. They agreed ; and
' Twyiimn, or Christclmrcli, in Hampshire.
2 Wiiiil)ornc>, in ] )or.^etshire. ' Badbury, in Dorsetshire.
* This chuise of tlie sentence does not occur in the Saxon Chronicle.
^ The Saxon Chronicle, and more correctly, assigns this eclipse to the iire^nous
year.
A.C. 911.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 235
shortly afterwards, in company of king Eohric and king Aethelwold,
burst into the Mercian territory, and, thirsting for prey, destroyed
everything with fire and sword, and at last came to Creccanford
[Cricklade], where, having crossed the Thames and marched through
the wood which is called in Saxon Bradene, they attacked all
the surrounding vills, destroying everything they could find. And
now, enriched with immense booty, they prepared, in high spirits,
to return home : but in vain ; for the invincible king Eadward
marched after them with an army which he had hastily collected, laid
waste their territory, situate between the boundary of the posses-
sions of the holy king Eadmund and the river Ouse, and then,
being about to return from his expedition, ordered all the army to
retire also. But the Kentish men scorned to obey, and remained
there. The king sent seven messengers commanding them to retire ;
but they, nought fearing his hostility, boldly persisted in their reso-
lution. Hearing this, the Danes quickly collected their forces into
one body, came down upon them suddenly, and fought a severe
battle, in which many fell on both sides. On the Kentish side there
fell ealdorman Sigulf and his son Sigbriht, ealdorman Sigelm, Ead-
wold, one of the king's thanes, the abbot Kenulf, and many others.
The Danes lost their king Eohric, the etheling Aethelwold, whom they
had chosen for their king, and very many more than the English :
nevertheless, they remained masters of the field of carnage. Queen
Ealhsuith, mother of king Eadward, a devout handmaid of Christ, and
foundress of a monastery of nuns at AVinchester, departed this life.
A.D. 906. A star called a comet appeared. The pagan army
from East Anglia and Northumbria, finding by experience that king
Eadward was invincible, concluded a treaty of peace with him, at
a place called in the English tongue Ittingaford.^
A.D. 907.
A.D. 908. ^The city which is called in the British tongue Kar-
legion, and Legeceastre in the Saxon, was rebuilt, by the direction
of ealdorman Aethered and AegeMed.
A.D. 909. Denulf, bishop of Winchester, died.
A.D. 910. Denulf being dead, St. Frithestan succeeded him in
the bishopric. ^ The bones of St. Oswald, king and martyr, were
translated from Barthoneig [Bardney] to Mercia. The invincible
Eadward, on the occasion of the Danes breaking the peace which
they had concluded with him, sent an army of West Saxons and
Mercians into Northumbria : when they arrived there, they ravaged
the country incessantly for nearly forty days, slew many of the
Danes, and took back with them many captives and immense booty,
compelling their kings (whether they wished it or not) to renew
with king Eadward the peace which they had broken.
A.D. 9 1 1 . *A great battle was fought between the English and the
Danes at Teottanhele, in the province of Stafibrd, and the English
were victorious. In the same year the victorious king Eadward
collected a hundred ships, and, selecting soldiers, ordered them on
' " Kyneferth, bishop of Lichfield, being dead, Tunbriht succeeded." A. in a
second hand. 2 gee the Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 907.
^ See the Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 909. * See the Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 910.
236 CHURCH HISTORIAN'S OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 912—
board, with instructions to meet him in Kent, whither he intended
to go by land. In the meantime the army of the Danes who dwelt
in Northumbria, having again broken the peace which they had
concluded with him, and rejected all the civil rights which he and
his nobles had offered to them, with rash boldness invaded the
Mercian territory ; for they thought that their great strength lay in
their ships, and that they could go wherever they pleased without
being obliged to hazard an engagement. Wlien the king heard this,
he sent an army of West Saxons and Mercians to drive them back.
This army met with them on their return from the scene of their
devastations, at a place called in the English tongue Wodnesfeld,
and slew their two kings, Eowils and Halfdene, brothers of king
Hinguar, two earls named Ohter and Scurfa,^ nine of their chief
nobles, and several thousand men besides ; and putting all the rest
to flight, they recaptured all the spoil. Aegelfled, the lady of the
Mercians, built the city of Bremesbyrig.
A.D. 912. After a well-spent life, Aethered, a most honourable
man, ealdorman and patrician, lord and subregulus of the Mer-
cians, died : after whose death, his wife Aegelfled,^ daughter of king
Alfred, kept possession for some time, and with a strong hand, of
the kingdom of the Mercians, with the exception of London and
Oxford, which her brother king Eadward retained for himself.
A.D. 913. 'Aegelfled, the lady of the Mercians, came on the
2d of the nones of May [6th May], with an army, to a place called
Sceargete, and built a fortress there ; and afterwards built another
at a place called Bricge [Bridgenorth], on the western side of the
river Severn. About the feast of St. Martin [11th Nov.] a city
was built by king Eadward's order to the north of Hertford,
between the rivers Memera, Ficcea, and Lyge [Lea].
A.D. 914. After Easier [17th April], a pagan army from North-
ampton and Leogereceastre [Leicester], went plundering in the
province of Oxford, and slew veiy many people in the king's vill
of Hokenertune, and in many other vills. Shortly after that one
returned home, they equipped another composed of cavalry, and
sent it towards Ligetun [Leighton ?] in the province of Hertford.
But the natives assembled in force to resist them, and after slaying
many of them and putting the rest to flight, captured some horses
and the greater part of their arms, and re-captured the booty which
they had taken. Leaving a portion of the army to build a city on
the south side of the river Lige [Lea], king Eadward marched,
after the rogations [23d May], with the greater part of it into
East Saxony, and encamped at Mealdune : he remained there
until a city was built at Witham and fortified ; and a great number
of the people there, who were in subjection to the pagans, sub-
mitted themselves and all their property to him. In the beginning
of the summer Aegelfled, the lady of the Mercians, went with the
' B. readd "Scnifa."
^ The events concerning this lady appear to have been known to Florence in
pome copy of the Saxon Chronicle, which represented them in a more authentic
state than any which has descended to our time.
* See Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 912.
A.D. 915.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 237
Mercians to Tomeweorthigina [Tamworth], and by God's help re-
stored that city. Thence she went towards Stafford, and built a
fort on the north side of the river Sowe. The winter of this year
was very long and severe.^
A.D. 915. Wereferth, bishop of the Hwiccas, a man of great
learning and piety, died, and was succeeded by Aethelhun, ^ abbot of
Beorclea [Berkeley]. At ^the beginning of summer Aegelfled,
the lady of the Mercians, built the city called Eadesbyrig, and at
the end of the autumn another called Werewic [Warwick]. The
* pagan pirates, who nearly nineteen years before had quitted
Britain and gone into Gaul, returned to England from the province
called Lydwiccum [Armorica or Brittany], with two earls named
Ohter and Rhoald, and sailing round by West Saxony and Corn-
wall, at length entered the mouth of the river Severn. They imme-
diately invaded the territory of the northern Britons, and utterly
destroyed everything at the river's side which they could lay hands
on. They captured Cym.elgeac,^ bishop of the Britons, at a plain
called Yrcenefeld, and carried him in great triumph to their ships :
[however] king Eadward ransomed him not long afterwards for
forty pounds of silver. Shortly afterwards, the whole army landed,
and marched towards the aforesaid plain for the purpose of pillage ;
but the men of Hereford, and Gloucester, and very many from the
neighbouring cities, went out suddenly to meet them, and fought a
battle with them. Rhoald, one of the enemy's chiefs, and brother
of the other chief, Ohter, and a great portion of the army were
slain : the rest were put to flight, and were driven by the Christians
into an enclosed field, where they were so long and closely beset
that they gave hostages as a security for their departure as quickly
as possible from king Eadward's territories. So the king posted
different portions of his army in suitable places on the south side
of the river Severn, from Cornwall to the mouth of the river
Avon, in order to prevent the pirates from laying waste any
portion of those provinces. But, leaving their ships on the strand,
they plundered stealthily by night to the east of Weced [Watchet],
and again at a place called Portlocon [Portlock-bay] ; but on each
occasion all were slain by the king's army, except such as fled like
cowards to their ships. Overpowered by this defeat, they retired
to an island called Reoric [Flat-holme], where they remained until
a number of them died of starvation : so, driven by necessity, they
sailed first to Deomede,'^ and aftei-^^ard, in the autumn, to Ireland.
After these events, the unconquered king Eadward went with an
army to Buckingham, and there remained for thirty days, and
caused fortresses to be built on each side of the river O'use, by
reason whereof Turketil one of the Danish chiefs, and all those of
the higher class from Bedford, and many from Northampton, found
' " On the promotion of Athelm, bishop of Wells, to the archiepiscopal see of
Canterbury, Wulfhelm succeeded." A. addition.
2 These three words are supplied from A.; they do not occur in B. or in
Howard's editions.
* See Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 914. * Id. a.d. 918.
* He was bishop of LlandafF. ^ Demetia, or South Wales.
238 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 91(1—
themselves obliged to surrender to the king. Cuthard, bishop of
Lindisfarne, died, and was succeeded by Tilred.
A.D. 916. Before the feast-day of St. Martin [11th Nov.] the
unconqucred king Eadward went to Bedford, which town and
its inhabitants submitted to him ; and, remaining there for thirty
days, ordered a town to be built on the southern bank of the river
Ouse. After our Lord's Nativity [25th Dec], Aegelfled, the lady
of the Mercians, built two cities, namely Cyricbyrig [Cherbury]
and Weadbyrig: she also built a third called Runcofan [Runcorn];
but that was before the Nativity.
A.D. 917. Before the feast of the Nativity of St. John tlie
Baptist [24th June], the unconquered king Eadward went to
Meldun [Maldon], and rebuilt the city there ; and did not leave
until he had strengthened it with a garrison. In this year the
above-named earl Turketil N?as permitted and assisted by king
Eadward to go over to Gaul with all his men. The venerable
abbot Ecgbriht was unrighteously slain on the 6th of the kalends
of July.^ Three nights afterwards Aegelfled, the lady of the
Mercians, sent an army into the territory of the Britons to take
the castle of Bricenanmere [Brecknock], who having captured the
castle, carried away captive, into Mercia, the wife of the British
king, and thirty-four men besides. Rollo, first duke of Normandy,
died, and was succeeded by his son William.
A.D. 918. By king Eadward's command the city called Tow-
cester was built before Easter [5th April], and another was built
after Easter, and another about the rogations, at Wigingamere
[Wigmore]. After the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
[24th June] the Pagans of Northampton and Leogerecestre
[Leicester] broke the peace, came to Towcester, and attacking it
the whole day, endeavoured to take it by storm ; but, the inha-
bitants resisting with all their might, and the people of the neigh-
bourhood hastening to their assistance, they were all put to flight.
They afterwards made frequent nocturnal attacks in the province
of Buckingham on those who were unprepared for resistance,
carrying away captive not only men but cattle, and slew many
people between Birnwood and Aylesbury. About that time an
army of the pagan inhabitants of East Anglia and Huntingdon left
the strong fort which they had built at Huntingdon, and built a
still stronger one at Temesford [Tempsford], thinking forsooth
that they should be able to regain by battle the tcrritorj' which
they had lost. Thence they marched out to attack Bedford. But
as soon as their arrival was known, the city guard went out to
battle against them : an engagement took place, and the enemy
was routed and put to flight, and very many of them were slain.
After a short interval the Pagans again assembled from East
Anglia, East Saxony, and Mercia, and came to the town called
Winganmcre [Wigmore], and passed the whole day in attacking it:
but those within defended it stoutly, and the enemy retired; never-
theless as they retired they carried oft' much booty. After this, in
the summer time, a multitude collected on all sides from the
• The Saxon Chronicle read.^, on the IGth of the kalends of July [17th June].
A.D. 919.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 239
neighbouring cities and districts under king Eadward's dominion,
went to Tempsford, besieged, assaulted, took, burned, and rased
it, and slew the pagan king, the earl Toglea, and earl Mannan his
son, and also his brother, and all who oftered any resistance ; the
remainder they took prisoners, and destroyed everything they could
find. From that time the Danish power gradually decreased, and
the English power increased from day to day. Just before the
kalends of August [7th Aug.], Aegelfled, lady of the ]Mercians,
took Derby by storm, and obtained possession of the province :
four of its best thanes were slain while fighting bravely at the city
gate. After this, in the autumn, a great multitude from Kent,
Surrey, East Saxony, and the neighbouring cities and districts,
united, and marched in a body to Colchester, and, laying siege to
it, continued the assault until they took it. They slew all the
inhabitants except a few who escaped, and pillaged everything they
found inside. The Danes dwelling in East Anglia were very in-
censed thereat, and, burning to revenge their injuries, marched to
]\Ialdon, with pirates, whose assistance they had hired, and besieged
and assaulted it, until such time as the people of the neighbouring
places came to the aid of the English. When the Danes heard
that aid had arrived, they raised the siege. The English, seeing
this, pursued and attacked them fiercely, slew several thousands of
the pirates and of the others, and put the rest to flight. Shortly
afterwards, the invincible king Eadward led a West- Saxon army
to Passaham, and remained until the city of Towcester was sur-
rounded with a stone wall. In consequence, the Danish earl
Thurferth, seeing that he could no longer make head against the
energetic movements of the king, made his submission to the king,
as did also the Danish and EngUsh citizens and natives of North-
ampton. After this the king returned home, and immediately sent
another army to Huntingdon, to repair and renovate the city, and
place a garrison therein. All which being achieved, such of the
people of that province as had survived the cruelties of the Danes,
thankful at having escaped from their hands, sought the peace and
protection of the king, and tendered their submission to him.
After a few days, the king, having assembled a West- Saxon army,
marched to Colchester, put its walls in a perfect state of repair,
and placed in it a stipendiary garrison. In the meantime, many
of the English of East Anglia and East Saxony, who for nearly
thirty years had been under the iron sway of the Pagans, joyfully
placed themselves under the king's protection. The Danish in-
habitants of East Anglia also presented themselves to him, and
swore that neither by sea nor by land would they do anything to
the king's prejudice. A Danish army from Cambridge came also,
and made choice of him for their lord and master : moreover, at
his request, they took oaths to the same effect.'
A.D. 919. At the beginning of this year, Aegelfled, the lady of
the IVIercians, by God's help, peaceably got possession of Leogere-
ceastre [Leicester], and received the submission of nearly all the
Danish army which was stationed there. Moreover, the Danes
' " On the death of Wustan,bishop of Sherburn, Aethelbald succeeded." A. addit.
240 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 920—
stationed at York, some with promises, and the rest with oaths,
engaged that they would in all things act according to her pleasure
and by her direction. After the rogations [31st May], the most
invincible king Eadward the elder marched with an army to Stan-
ford, and fortified a strong tower on the south bank of the river
Welund ; and he received the submission of not only the Danes
who were in possession of a fort on the northern bank of the said
river, but also of all w'ho belonged to it. During these transactions,
that is to say, on the 19th of the kalends of June,' the king's sister,
Aegelfled, lady of the Mercians, died ; in the eighth year from
the year when she commenced her firm but moderate undivided
sway over the Mercians : she was a very virtuous woman, and
renowned for her prudence and justice : she left an only daughter,
named Aelfwinna, by the sub-regulus Aethered, heir to her kingdom.
Her body was taken to Gloucester, and honourably buried in
St. Peter's church. The king, on hearing of her death, hastened
to Tomwrthigene [Tamworth], and reduced it to submit to him.
Thence he moved his army, and went to Snotingaham [Notting-
ham], ordered the city, which had been captured, to be repaired,
and stationed both English and Danes therein. In course of time
he received the submission first of all the Mercians and the Danish
inhabitants of Mercia, and then of three British kings named
Howell, Clyttwic, and Juthwal, together with all their subjects.^
A.D. 920. In the autumn the most invincible king Eadward
went to Thelwall, built a city there, and left some of the bravest ot
his army as a garrison. Moreover he sent an army of Mercians
into Northumbria to repair the city of Mameceaster [Manchester],
and stationed valiant soldiers therein. He afterwards entirely de-
prived his niece Aelfwinna of her Mercian kingdom, and ordered
her to be taken into West Saxony.
A.D. 921. 'Just before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the
Baptist [24th June], the most invincible king Eadward the elder
went with an army to Nottingham and built a city on the southern
bank of the river Trent, facing the city on the opposite bank, and
ordered a strong bridge connecting both cities to be built. Thence
he went with the army to Beadecanwealla [Bakewell], built a town
not far off, and stationed powerful soldiers therein. At that time
[Constantine] the king of the Scots and all his subjects, Reignald
king of the Danes, with the English and Danes who dwelt in
Northumbria, and the king of the Strathclyde Britons and all his
subjects, adopted king Eadward the elder for their chief and lord,
and made a lasting peace with him.
A.D. 922. On the 17th of the kalends of November [16th
Oct.], Aethelward the etheling, brother of king Eadward, died, and
was carried to Winchester and buried there. Aethelhun bishop of
the Hwiccas died, and was succeeded by Wilfcrth.
A.D. 923.'
' Compare the Saxon Chronicle as to this date.
^ "On the death of Adhelstan, bishop of Wilton, Odo succeeded." A. in a second
hand. ^ See the Saxon Chron. a.d. 924.
' " On the death of Bernech, bi.shop of Selsey, Kinred succeeded." Addit. in A.
A.D. 934.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 241
A.D. 924. After accomplishing many signal achievements,
Eadward the elder, that most invincible king of the English, who
had ruled with the greatest glory over all the inhabitants of Britain,
whether English, Scots, Cumbrians, Danes, or Welsh, departed
this life at a king's vill named Fearndun, in the twenty-fourth year
of his reign and the fifteenth indiction, leaving the helm of state to
his son Aethelstan. His body was carried to Winchester, and
buried, as was usual with kings, in the new monastery. His son
Alfward shortly afterwards died at Oxford, and was buried in the
same place with his father. Aethelstan was proclaimed king at
Kingston, which signifies the king's town, and was crowned with
due ceremony by Athelm, archbishop of Canterbury. In his time
the energetic Dunstan was born in the West- Saxon territory.
A.D. 925. The energetic and glorious English king Aethelstan
gave his sister, with great state and magnificence, in marriage to
Sihtric, king of the Northumbrians, who was of Danish descent.
A.D. 926. Fiery rays in the northern sky were seen throughout all
England. Shortly afterwards Sihtric, king of the Northumbrians,
died ; and king Aethelstan expelled Guthferth, his son and suc-
cessor, from his kingdom, and added it to his own dominions.
Moreover, he routed in battle and put to flight all the kings
throughout Albion ; namely, Huwal, king of the West Britons,
then Constantine, king of the Scots, and Wer, king of the Wenti
[people of Monmouthshire]. He also expelled Aldred, the son of
Eadulf, from the royal town which is called in the English tongue
Bebbanbirig [Bamborough] . Seeing that they could no longer
withstand his power, they all sued for peace ; and meeting at a
place called Eamot, on the 4th of the ides,.of July [12th July],
made a solemn treaty with him, ratifying it with an oath.
A.D. 927.
A.D. 928. Tilred, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and was succeeded
by Wigred.^
A.D. 929. Wilferth, bishop of the Hwiccas, died, and was
succeeded by Kinewold.
A.D. 930.
A.D. 931. Eadulf, bishop of Devonshire, died, and was buried
at Cridiantune [Crediton],
A.D. 932. Frithestan, bishop of Winchester, a man of the most
exalted piety, continued to reside at Winchester, after the holy
man Birnstan had been ordained his successor in the bishopric.
He was a saintly man ; every day he sang mass for the repose of
the dead, and at night went round the cemeteries, singing psalms for
their souls' weal. Once, after having been thus engaged, and when
by way of conclusion he had said, "May they rest in peace," he heard
as it were a mighty host answer from out of the graves, " Amen."
A.D. 933. Saint Frithestan died.
A.D. 934. Aethelstan, the brave king of the English, went to
Scotland with a powerful fleet and a large army of cavalry, and laid
waste the greater part thereof, in revenge for Constantine, king of
the Scots, having broken the peace which he had concluded with
^ " On the death of Tunbriht, bishop of Lichfield, Aelle succeeded." A. add.
242 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 935—
liim. King Constantine was thereby forced to surrender his son as
a hostage, and give suitable presents, to him [Aethelstan] : peace
being restored, the king returned to West Saxony. In this year
St. Birstan, bishop of Winchester, died.
A.D. 935. The pious monk Alfeag, surnamed the Bald, a re-
lation of St. Dunstan, was appointed to the bishopric of Win-
chester.
A.D. 936.
A.D. 937. Otto, the 90th [emperor] of the Romans, reigned
thirty-six years and ten months. Aethelstan, king of the English,
gave to him one of his sisters in marriage.
A.D. 938. Anlaf, the pagan king of the Irish and of many
islands besides, at the instigation of his father-in-law, Constantine,
king of the Scots, entered the mouth of the river Humber with a
powerful fleet. King Aethelstan and his brother, Eadmund the
etheling, met him with their army at a place called Brunanburgh ;
and after a battle which lasted from daybreak until evening, slew
five reguli and seven earls, whom the enemy had brought with
them as auxiliaries, shedding more blood than had ever before in
England been shed in battle, and returned home in great triumph,
having driven the kings Anlaf and Constantine back to their ships :
the latter were terribly cast down by the destruction of their army,
and returned to their country with a very few followers.
A.D. 939.
A.D. 940. On Wednesday, the 6th of the kalends of November
[27th Oct.], in the fourteenth indiction, and the sixteenth year of
his reign, Aethelstan, the brave and glorious king of the English,
departed this life, al Gloucester, and was carried to the city of
Maidulf [Malmesbury], and buried there with due honour. His
brother Eadmund, then in his eighteenth year, succeeded him in
the kingdom.
A.D. 941. The Northumbrians, preferring rebellion to the fealty
which they owed to Eadmund, the glorious king of the English,
chose Anlaf, king of the Northmen, to be their king. In the same
year died Alfred, bishop of Sherborne.
A.D. 942. Eadmund, the glorious king of the English, com-
pletely wrested five cities, namely, Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby,
Leicester, and Stamford, from the hands of the Danes, and brought
all Mercia under his dominion. He became mighty and glorious,
by the counsels of God's servant, Dunstan ; whom, after dignifying
with several honourable offices, he promoted to the abbacy of the
monastery of Glastonbury, where he had been brought up. On the
16th of the kalends of January [17th Dec], William, duke of Nor-
mandy, the son of Rollo, was slain : he was succeeded by his son
Richard.
A.D. 943. On the occasion of Aclfgiva, the saintly queen of the
glorious king Eadmund, giving birth to her son Eadgar, the holy
abbot Dunstan heard voices on high, giving praise and saying, " In
the time of the child who is now born, and of our beloved Dunstan,
the English church shall have peace." This year the said king
stood godfather to king Anlaf (whon^ we have before mentioned) at
A.D. 950.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 243
the font of holy regeneration, and made him a kingly present : a
short time afterwards he presented Reignold, king of the Northum-
brians, to be confirmed by the bishop, and adopted him for a son.^
A.D. 944. Eadmund, the glorious king of the English, expelled
from Northumbria two kings, namely, Anlaf, son of king Sihtric,
and Reignold, son of Guthferth ; and brought that province under
his own sway. Wigred, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and w^as suc-
ceeded by Uhtred ; on the death of the latter, Sexhelm was ordained
to supply his place ; but he, too, dying a few months afterwards,
Aldred was consecrated in his stead.
A.D. 945. Eadmund, the glorious king of the English, laid waste
Cumberland, and gave it to Malculm, king of the Scots, on con-
dition of his being faithful to him, by sea and by land.
A.D. 946. On the feast day of St. Augustine, the teacher of the
English, being Tuesday, the 7th of the kalends of June [26th May],
in the fourth indiction, Eadmund, the glorious king of the English,
after a reign of five years and seven months, was killed at a royal
vill called Pucelecirce [Pucklechurch], by Leof, an atrocious robber,
while attempting to prevent the murder of his steward by the said
Leof : his body was carried to Glastonbury, and buried by the abbot
St. Dunstan. Thereupon Edred, his brother and next heir, suc-
ceeded to the kingdom, in due course ; and on Sunday, the 7th of
the kalends of September [16th August], was crowned king, at
Kingston, by St. Odo, archbishop of Canterbury. He [Edred]
brought all ISIorthumbria under his dominion, in the same manner
as his brother had previously done, and received an oath of fidelity
from the Scots.
A.D. 947, 948.^
A.D. 949. Wulfstan,' archbishop of York, and all the nobles
of Northumbria, swore fealty to Edred, the glorious king of the
English, at a vill called Taddenes-scylf : but they did not long abide
by their oath ; for they elected for their king a certain Dane of royal
descent, named Ire.
A.D. 950. In return for the defection of the Northumbrians,
Edred, the famous king of the English, overran the whole of
Northumbria. In the course of this devastation the monastery of
Ripon, formerly built by the holy bishop Wilfrid, was destroyed
by fire. But as the king was on his return home, an army issued
from the city of York, and made great havoc among the rear of his
army, at a place called Casterford. The king was exceedingly
indignant at this, and meditated returning and utterly laying waste all
that district. The Northumbrians, alarmed at the news, deposed
Ire, whom they had chosen for king, made amends to the king, with
personal obeisance, for the indignity, and with presents for the
damage which he had sustained, and appeased his anger with a large
sum of money.
1 " On the death of Aethelbald, bishop of Sherbum, Aelfred succeeded." A.
in another haud.
- " On the death of Kenred, bishop of Selsey, Guthred succeeded." A. in
another hand. In this year B. has inserted some passages respecting St. Ethel-
wold, and the foundation of the monastery of Abingdon, which, following the
example of Petrie, are here omitted. ^ See Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 947.
R 2
244 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 951—
A.D. 951. St. Aelfeag, bishop of Winchester, surnamed the
Bald, (the same who gave St.Dunstan monk's and priest's orders,)
departed this Hfe : he was succeeded in the bishopric by Alfsin.
A.D. 952, Edred, the renowned king of the Enghsh, placed
Wulstan, archbishop of York, in close custody at Juthanbirig [Jed-
burgh?], on account of accusations of diflferent kinds, which were
constantly being brought against him. Moreover, he ordered many
of the citizens of Thetford to be executed, in revenge for their having
murdered abbot Aldhelm.
A.D. 953. Aethelgar, bishop of Crediton, departed in Christ, in
the twenty-first year of his office, and was buried at Crediton. By
the advice of the holy abbot Dunstan, the venerable Alfwold suc-
ceeded to the bishopric.
A.D. 954. Wulstan, archbishop of York, was released from
prison, and restored to his episcopal functions at Dorchester.
A.D. 955. In the tenth year of his reign, Edred, the glorious king
of the English, fell sick, and his life was despaired of ; so he sent
swift messengers commanding the attendance of the blessed abbot
Dunstan, his father confessor. The latter accordingly set out in all
haste for the palace. As he was half way on his journey, he heard
a voice from on high say distinctly, " Now king Edred rests in
peace." Thereupon his horse, unable to endure the awfulness of
the angel's voice, fell dead ; but the rider was unhurt. The king's
corpse was carried to Winchester, and was honourably interred by
the said abbot Dunstan, in th^ Old Monastery. His nephew, Eadwi
the etheling, son of king Eadmund and his saintly queen, Alfgiva,
succeeded him in the empire, and in the same year was crowned
king at Kingston, by Odo, archbishop of Canterbury.
In this year died Louis [the Fourth], king of the West Franks,
son of king Charles by a daughter of Eadward the elder, king of the
English. Liutolf also, son of the emperor Otto, by another daughter
of the same king Eadward, died, 'and was buried in the choir of
St. Alban's monastery, at Mentz.
A.D. 956. The holy abbot Dunstan, being banished by legal sen-
tence by Eadwi, king of the English, crossed over the sea, and, being
honourably received by Arnulf,^ a man of royal descent, remained
during his exile at a monastery called Blandinium [at Ghent].
On the 7th of the kalends of January [26th Dec], Wulstan, arch-
bishop of York, died, and was buried at Oundle. lie was succeeded
by the venerable Oskitell.
A.D. 957. Eadwi, king of the English, was deserted in disgust
by the Mercians and Northumbrians, because of his evil manage-
ment of the government with which he had been entrusted ; and
they chose his brother, Eadgar the etheling, to be king over them : so
the government was split in two, and the river Thames was the boun-
dary of the two kingdoms. Shortly afterwards Pladgar, king of the
Mercians, recalled the holy abbot Dunstan with honour and glory.
Not long after this, Coinwald, bishop of Worcester, a man of
great humility and [devotion to the] monastic profession, died ; the
holy abbot Dunstan was elected to succeed him in the bishopric,
* The concluaion of this year is from Marianus. ^ Count of Flamlers.
A.D. 959.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 245
and was consecrated by Odo, archbishop of Canterbury. In the fol-
lowing year Edgar, king of the Mercians, committed to his charge
the see of London, which had become vacant by the death of its
pious bishop [Brihthelm].
A.D. 958. Alfsi, bishop of Dorchester, died ; and was succeeded
by Brihthelm, a man of piety, modesty, humility, and affability.
The holy Odo, archbishop of Canterbury, separated Eadwi, king of
the West Saxons, and Alfgiva, either because she was reported to
be his kinswoman, or because he preferred her to his own wife. In
the same year this archbishop, a man of great talent and of praise-
worthy virtues, gifted moreover with the spirit of prophecy, de-
parted this life, and was borne by angels to paradise. He was
succeeded by Alfsin, bishop of Winchester; and Brihthelm' was
ordained bishop of Winchester in Alfsin's stead.
A.D. 959. As Alfsin, archbishop of Canterbury, was journeying
to Rome to obtain the pall, he was overtaken on the Alps by frost
and snow, and perished. Eadwi, king of the West Saxons, died,
having reigned four years, and was buried in the new monastery at
Winchester. His brother Eadgar, king of the Mercians, then in
his sixteenth year, was elected by all the English people to succeed
him, in the 510th year from the coming of the Angles into
Britain, and the 363d year from the arrival in England of St. Au-
gustine and his companions; and thus united the two kingdoms.
Brihthelm, bishop of Dorchester, was elected to the archiepi-
scopal see of Canterbury, but being incompetent for that high office,
he left Canterbury at the king's command, and returned to the
church which he had lately quitted. Thereupon, St. Dunstan was
(after deliberation) appointed primate and patriarch of the chief
metropolis of England. Wrought upon by the prudent counsels of
him and of other wise men, Eadgar, king of the English, punished
the wicked in every quarter, reduced the rebels to submission by
his severity, showed favour to the just and humble, repaired and
enriched God's ruined churches, removed all vanities from the
monasteries of the clerks, collected great numbers of monks and
nuns, to the glory of the Almighty Creator, and supplied more
than forty monasteries. All these he honoured as his brethren,
and loved as his very dear children, personally exhorting the pastors
whom he placed over them to admonish them that they should
live according to the rule and without reproach, and so be well
pleasing in all things to Christ and the saints. He was discreet,
mild, humble, kind, liberal, merciful, powerful in arms, warlike,
and defended the rights of his kingdom by his army as became a
king ; he taught the people to reverence the nobles, and the nobles
to obey the laws of the empire ; he enacted good laws and enjoyed
a most peaceful reign : he neither had occasion to undertake an
offensive or defensive war ; but by God's assistance and his own
prudence, fortitude, justice, and moderation, he preserved during
his life the limits of his kingdom : and as he was fierce as an angry
lion against his enemies, not only did the princes and kings of the
islands fear him, but some of the kings of other countries were
1 A. here adds that he was the fifth bishop of Wells.
246 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 960—
fear-Stricken and terrified at the report of his wisdom and energy,
while his munificence gained for him the love, honour, and great
applause of others. The emperor Otto the First, who had married
his aunt, sent splendid presents to him, and made a treaty of
lasting peace with him.
A.D. 960. In the third indiction, St. Dunstan went to the city
of Romulus, and received the pall from pope John [the Twelfth] ;
and afterwards, by peaceful stages, returned to his own country.
After the lapse of a few months he went to the king's palace, and
knocking [so to speak] at the portals of the king's devotion, he
humbly requested and entreated him to advance to the dignity of
bishop of Worcester St. Oswald, a religious, meek, and humble
monk, nephew of his predecessor Odo, and one whom he had
ascertained to be truly abounding in the fear of the Lord, and in the
holy practice of virtue. King Eadgar granted the holy Dunstan's
request, and St. Oswald was authorized by him in the bishopric'
A.D. 961, 962.
A.D. 963. The venerable abbot St. Aethelwold,^ who had been
brought up by St. Dunstan, succeeded to the bishopric of Win-
chester ; and in the same year he filled the old monastery with
monks, the clerks being expelled by the king's orders. He was the
king's chief counsellor, and took the chief part in persuading him
to expel clerks from the monasteries, and cause monks and nuns
to be placed therein.*
A.D. 964. Eadgar, the pacific king of the English, married
\lftryth, daughter of Ordgar, ealdorman of Devonshire, after the
death of her husband Aethelwold, the glorious ealdorman of the
East Angles; and had by her two sons, Eadmund and Aethelred.
He had also previously by Egelfleda the Fair, surnamed Ened.*
a son called Eadward, afterwards king and martyr ; and by St.
Wulfrith a daughter named Eadgith, one of God's most pious
virgins. In this year the king placed monks in the new monastery
[at Winchester] and at Middleton, and made Aethelgar abbot over
the former, and Kineward abbot over the latter.
A.D. 965, 966.
A.D. 967. The pacific Eadgar, king of the English, placed nuns
in the monastery of Rumsey, which his grandfather Eadward the
elder, king of the English, had built, and made the holy Mearwinna
abbess over them.
A.D. 968. The pacific Eadgar, king of the English, made the
pious Sidemann abbot over the monks assembled at Exeter.
Aldred, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and was succeeded by Alfsi.
A.D. 969. Edgar, the pacific king of the English, commanded
St. Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, the blessed St. Oswald,
' " On the death of Guthard, bi.sho]) of SeLsey, Alfred succeeded." A. addit.
2 B. here adds, " of the church of Abingdon."
' " Osgar, a monk of the same church, is appointed abbot of Abingdon, in the
stead of Aethelwold ; but because he had left the church of Abingdon undedicated
before he had received his own bishopric, when he was consecrated, he and St.
Dunstan, and certain other bishops, dedicated it to the honour of Mary the
Mother of God, on the fifth of the kalends of January [28th Dec ]." B. addition.
* That is, " The Swan."
A.D. 973.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 24/
bishop of Worcester, and St. Aethelwold, bishop of Winchester, to
expel the clerks and place monks in the larger monasteries of
Mercia. Thereupon St. Oswald accomplished what he desired, and
expelled such of the clerks of the church of Worcester as refused
to become monks : but on their compliance this year, as he relates,
he made monks of them, and appointed Winsin, a monk of Ramesey,
a very religious man, to be their dean.
A.D. 970. On Friday the ides of July [15th July], in the
thirteenth indiction, the reliques of the holy and venerable bishop
Swithun, after having been buried one hundred and ten years, were
removed from the tomb by the venerable bishop St. Aethelwold,
and most honourably re-interred in the church of the apostles
Peter and Paul [at Winchester] , by Aelfstan, abbot of Glastonbury,
and Aethelgar, abbot of the New Monastery. In the same year
Osulf, bishop of Wiltshire, died, and was buried at Wilton : the
venerable abbot Alfstan* was ordained in his stead. ^
A.D. 971. Eadmund the etheling, son of king Eadgar, died,
and was buried with due honour in the monastery of Rumsey.
In the same year Alfeag, ealdorman of Southampton, died, and
was buried at Glastonbury. Shortly aftersvards, Ordgar, ealdorman
of Devonshire, father-in-law of king Eadgar, died, and was buried
at Exeter.
A.D. 972. Eadgar, the pacific king of the English, ordered the
church of the New Monastery, which had been begun by his father,
king Eadmund, but perfected by himself, to be solemnly dedicated.
In this year Alfwold, bishop of Devonshire, died, in the nineteenth
year of his bishopric, and was buried at Crediton.^ Oskitell, arch-
bishop of York, died, and his kinsman, St. Oswald, bishop of
Worcester, was elected to succeed him in the archbishopric.
A.D. 973. * Stephen was pope, being the one hundred and thirty-
fourth. From him St. Oswald received the pall. On the day of
Pentecost, being the 5th of the ides of May [11th May], in the
first indiction, Eadgar, the pacific king of the English, being then
in the thirtieth year of his age, received the benediction of the holy
bishops Dunstan and Oswald, and all the other English bishops, in
the city of Acamann [Bath], and was crowned and anointed king
with great honour and glory. Thence, after a short time, he sailed
round the north part of Britain with a large fleet, and landed at
Chester.* Eight petty kings, namely, Kynath, king of the Scots,
Malcolm, king of the Cumbrians, Maccus, king of several isles,
and five others, named Dufnall, Siferth, Huwall, Jacob, and
Juchill, met him there as he had appointed, and swore that they
would be faithful to him, and assist him by land and by sea. On a
certain day they attended him into a boat, and when he had placed
them at the oars, he himself took the helm and skilfully steered it
down the river Dee, and thus, followed by the whole company
of earls and nobles, in this order went from the palace to the
' " Alfgar," A.
- " On the death of Aelfred, bishop of Selsey, Eadelm succeeded." A. in
another hand.
^ " He was succeeded by Sideman." A. addit.
* This first sentence is from Marianus. ' " ad Legionum civitatem.'
248 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 974—
monastery of St. John the Baptist. After having prayed there, lie
returned with the same pomp to the palace. As he was entering
it, he is reported to have said to his nobles, that then his successors
might boast themselves to be kings of the English, when, attended
by so many kings, they should enjoy the pomp of such honours.
Brihthelm, bishop of Somerset, died, and was buried at Wells : he
was succeeded by Kineward, abbot of Middleton.
A.D. 974. In this year there was a tremendous earthquake all
over England. ^Eberger, archbishop of Cologne, gave to the Scots
for ever the monastery of St. Martin in Cologne : Minborin, a
Scot, was the first abbot thereof.
A.D. 975. The pacific king Eadgar, sole ruler of England, the
flower and glory of our former kings, not less renowned among
the English, than Romulus among the Romans, Cyrus among the
Persians, Alexander among the Macedonians, Arsaces among the
Parthians, or Charles the Great among the Franks, after having
finished in royal style all that he took in hand, departed this life on
Thursday, the 8th of the ides of July [8th July], in the third
indiction, being in the thirty- second year of his age, the nineteenth
of his reign over Mercia and Northumbria, and the sixteenth of his
reign over all England, leaving his son Eadward heir to his king-
dom and qualities. His body was carried to Glastonbury, and
buried there according to kingly custom. He collected, during his
life, a fleet of 3,600 stout ships ; after Easter, in every year,
he used to make 1,200 of them assemble on the east, 1,200
on the west, and 1,200 on the north shore of the island; he
would then sail to the western with the eastern fleet, and sending
that back would sail to the northern with the western fleet, and
dismissing it in turn, would sail with the northern fleet back to the
western : thus every summer he used to sail round the whole
island ; performing this brave feat by way of defence against
foreigners, and for the purpose of inuring himself and his subjects
to war. In the winter and the spring he used to make a progress
through every province in England, and diligently inquire into the
mode of the administration of justice, and the observance of the laws
by the nobles, so that the poor might not suffer oppression at the
hands of the powerful. By the former practice he excited [national]
courage, by the latter the love of justice ; and by each he consulted
the interests of the kingdom and commonweal. Hence, all his
enemies' fear, and all his subjects' love for him increased. At his
death the whole kingdom sustained a shock, and after the glad time
of peace, which existed all his life, troubles began to come in on every
side. For, dazzled by numerous presents, Alfere, chief of the
Mercians, and very many nobles of the kingdom, expelled the abbots
and monks from the monasteries in which the pacific king Eadgar
had placed them, and introduced clerks and their wives. But this
piece of madness was opposed by some conscientious men, to wit,
Athelwin, ealdorman of the East Angles, a friend of God, and his
brother Alfwold, and the pious ealdorman, Brihtnoth; who, meeting
together, declared that they could not permit the monks, who were
' The remainder of the year is from Marianus.
A.D. 980.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 249
the depositaries of all the religion of the kingdom, to be expelled
therefrom. They then assembled a great army, and bravely
defended the monasteries of the East Angles. In the meantime
the nobles of the kingdom were very much at variance in the
matter of electing a king : for some chose the king's son, Eadward,
and some chose his brother Aethelred. On this account the arch-
bishops Dunstan and Oswald, with a great number of bishops,
abbots, and ealdormen, met in a body, and chose Eadward, ac-
cording as his father had desired; and after his election crowned
and anointed him king. Kyneward, bishop of Somerset [Wells],
died. A comet star was seen in the autumn.
A.D. 976. There was a great famine in England. In the
same year the magnificent earl Oslac was unjustly expelled from
England.'
A.D. 977. A great synod was held at a vill called Kyrtling, in
East Anglia. At another synod, which was afterwards held at
Kalne, a king's vill, all the elders of England who were there
assembled, with the exception of St. Dunstan, fell through the
[floor of an] upper chamber ; some of them were killed, and some
barely escaped with their lives. A third synod was held at Ambres-
byrig. Sidemann, bishop of Devonshire [Crediton], died.^
A.D. 978. Eadward, king of the EngUsh, was wickedly slain at
Corvesgeate [Corfe], by his own servants, acting under the com-
mands of his step -mother, queen Alftryth, and was buried at
Wareham, without any royal pomp. His brother, Aethelred, the
noble etheling, [a youth] of fascinating manners, handsome counte-
nance, and graceful appearance, was, after Easter, in the sixth
indiction, to wit, on Sunday, the 18th of the kalends of May [14th
April], crowned king at Kingston, by the holy archbishops Dunstan
and Oswald, and ten bishops. Alfwold, bishop of Dorchester, died,
and was buried at Sherborne. At midnight, there was seen
throughout all England a cloud, which was sometimes of a blood-
colour, and sometimes fiery ; it afterwards broke out into rays of
difi'erent colours, and disappeared about day-break.
A.D. 979. Alfer, ealdorman of the IVIercians, came with a multi-
tude of people to Werham, and ordered the sacred corpse of the
precious king and martyr Eadward to be disinterred : when it was
unwrapped it was discovered to be fresh and free from all signs of
death or corruption ; so they washed it, and put new grave-clothes
on it. They carried it to Shaftesbury and entombed it with due
honours.
A.D. 980. On the 6th of the nones of May [2d May], Aethelgar
the venerable abbot of the New Monastery was made bishop of
Selsey.^ In the same year Southampton was laid waste by the
1 In A. another hand has added the following note :— " On the death of Algar,
bishop of Wilton, Alfstan, a monk of St. Aethelwold, at Abingdon, succeeded ; for
whom Siric was substituted."
2 " His body was conveyed to Abingdon, and honourably buried there in the
aisle of St. Paul the apostle." B. addit. Another hand adds, in A., that he was
succeeded by Alfric.
3 An addition in A. by another hand states that this was on the death of
Eadelm.
250 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 981—
Danish pirates, and nearly all the citizens were either slain or
carried away captives. Shortly afterwards the san:ie horde laid
waste the isle of Thanet. In this year too the city and province of
Chester were laid waste by Norwegian pirates.
A.D. 981. The pirates, who in the preceding year had laid
waste Southampton, now pillaged St. Petroc, the confessor's mona-
stery [at Padstow] in Cornwall : they afterwards made frequent
piratical descents on the shores of Devonshire and Cornwall.
Aelfstan, bishop of Wiltshire, died, and was buried at Abingdon : ^
Wulgar succeeded him in the bishopric. Wulstan, dean of Glas-
tonbury, a man of exalted piety, died.
A.D, 982. Three ships, full of pirates, landed at Dorsetshire, and
laid waste Portland. London was destroyed by fire. Aethelmar,
ealdorman of Hampshire, and Eadwin, ealdorman of the South
Saxons, died ; the latter was buried at Abingdon, and the former
in the new monastery at Winchester. Hereluve, abbess of Shaftes-
bury, and Wulfuin, abbess of Werham, departed this life. ^In the
same year. Otto the Second, emperor of the Romans, went to
Greece, and there fell in with an army of the Saracens, who were
on their way to plunder the Christians : he engaged with them,
and after great slaughter on both sides, gained the victory. As he
was returning home. Otto, the son of his brother Liutolf, who was
the son of the emperor Otto the First by a daughter of Eadward
the elder, king of the English, died.
A.D. 983. Alfer, ealdorman of the Mercians, a relation of
Eadgar, king of the English, died, and was succeeded in his dignity
by his son Alfric.
A.D. 984. On the kalends of August [1st Aug.], in the second
indiction, St. Aethelwold, bishop of Winchester, departed this life.
He was succeeded by Alfeag, abbot of Bath, who had assumed the
religious habit in the monastery of Deorhyrstc.^
A.D. 985. n^'he venerable monk Eadwin was made abbot of the
monastery of Abingdon.
A.D. 986. Aethelred, king of the English, on account of some
quarrel, laid siege to the city of Rochester ; but seeing that it
would be difficult to reduce it, retired in wTath, and laid waste the
lands of [the church of] St. Andrew the apostle. Alfric, ealdor-
man of the Mercians, son of the ealdorman Alfer, was driven out
of England. 'Abbot Minborin, a Scot, died on Sunday the l8th
day of July, in the monastery of St. Martin, at Cologne. Kilian
succeeded him.
A.D. 987. In this year two diseases unknown to the English in
former ages, to wit, a fever among men, and a murrain among
' " honourably, .is he hiinsi'lf had desired," B. addit.
^ The remainder of the year is from Marianns.
^ B. adds, "for at this time Osgar, abbot of Abingdon, had deceased."
■• Instead of this and the following year, B. enters under the years 984 and
985 the following passage : — " A certain powerful person named Aelfric Wiis then
the mayor of the royal household, who had a brother named Edwin, a monk.
Aelfric procured, liy the payment of a sum of money to the king, that this brother
of his should be appointed abbot of Abingdon, and so it was managed."
^ The conclusion of the year is from Marianus.
A.D. 992.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 251
beasts, called in the English tongue " scitta," which in Latin may
be said to signify a flux of the bowels, grievously troubled all
England, and raged in every part of it beyond expression, causing
great mortality among the inhabitants and the wholesale destruction
of cattle.
A.D. 988. Wecedport [Watchet] was pillaged by the Danish
pirates, who also slew a thane of Devonshire named Goda, Stren-
wold, a very brave soldier, and several others. However, the loss
was greatest on the side of the Danes, and the English remained
masters of the field of carnage. On ^Saturday the 14th of the
kalends of June [19th May], in the first indiction, the blessed
archbishop Dunstan departed this life, and went to his abode in the
heavenly city. Aethelgar, bishop of Selsey, succeeded him in the
archbishopric, and held it for one year and three months.
A.D. 989.
A.D. 990. ^Siric was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury.
Eadwin, abbot of Abingdon, died, and was succeeded by Wulgar.
Alfsy, bishop of Lindisfarne, died, and was succeeded by Aldhun.
A.D. 991. In this year the Danes, under the command of
Justin and Guthmund, the son of Stercan,^ laid waste Ipswich.
Byrthnoth, the bold ealdorman of the West Saxons, shortly after-
wards fought a battle against them near Maldon ; but, after great
slaughter on both sides, the ealdorman fell, so the Danish fortune
prevailed. Moreover in this year, first of all, and that by the
advice of Siric, archbishop of Canterbuiy, and the ealdormen
Aethelward and Alfric, a tribute of ten thousand pounds was paid
to the Danes, as the price of their cessation from the frequent
plunderings, burnings, and slaughters, which they used to make on
the sea coast, and their concluding a lasting peace. On Tuesday
the 6th of the ides of November [8th Nov.], St. Oswald the arch-
bishop, aided by divine assistance, and cheered by the co-operation
of Aescwi, bishop of Lincoln [Dorchester], consecrated the mona-
stery of Ramsey, which he and Aethelwin, ealdorman of the East
Angles, the friend of God, had built.
A.D. 992. On Monday the 2d of the kalends of March [29th
Feb.], in the fifth indiction, St. Oswald the archbishop departed
this life, and entered on the joys of the heavenly kingdom : he
rests at Worcester in St. Mail's Church, which he built from the
foundations. He was succeeded by the venerable Aldulph, abbot
of Medehamstead, to whose abbacy Kenulph succeeded. Shortly
after the departure of St. Oswald, died the renowned ealdorman
[of East Anglia] Aethelwin, the friend of God : although younger
than his brothers Aethelwold, Alfwold, and Agelsin, he excelled
them in meekness, piety, goodness, and justice ; and, as being a
man of exalted virtue and purity, was, we may believe, received
^ MS. A., in another hand, reads, " to whom succeeded Athelgar, first ap-
pointed abbot to Newminster by the blessed Ethelwold, of Winchester, after-
wards bishop of the South Saxons, whose see was then at Selsey, in which place
he was succeeded by Ordbriht."
^ " Siric, bishop of Wilton, succeeded Aethelgar, archbishop of Canterbury ; he
expelled the monks, and introduced clerks into Canterbury." A. in another hand.
^ Steitan, B.
252 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND, [a.D. 993—
among the dwellers in Paradise. His body was carried with great
pomp to Ramsey, and was buried by St. Alfeag, bishop of Win-
chester. By the advice and command of Aethelred, king of the
English, and of his nobles, the strongest ships from every part of
England were assembled at London. The king manned them with
chosen soldiers, and put them under the command of ealdorman
Alfric, whom we have mentioned before, ealdorman Thored,
Aelfgar, bishop of Wiltshire, and Aescwi, bishop [of Dorchester],
witli orders to catch the Danish army, if they could, in some port,
and enclose them there. But the ealdorman Aelfric secretly sent
a messenger to the enemy, advising them to be on their guard, and
take care that they were not unexpectedly surrounded by the king's
army. The ealdorman himself, (a singular example of wickedness,)
on the very night before the English had determined to fight a pitched
battle with the Danes, secretly went over with all his men to the
Danish fleet, and shortly after%vards made a shameful retreat along
with them. The king's fleet finding this out pursued the fugitives
with all haste ; one ship only was taken, and was pillaged after all on
board had been massacred ; the rest were accidentally encountered
in their flight by only the Londoners and East Saxons, when, an en-
gagement taking place, many thousand Danes were slain. Moreover
they captured the ealdorman Alfric's ship, with the soldiers and arms
therein, just after he had fled from it, and they got the victory.
A.D. 993. In this year the aforesaid army of the Danes broke
into Bamborough, and carried away all that they found therein.
Thence they directed their course to the mouth of the river
H umber, and took much spoil in Lindsey and Northumbria,
burning many vills and slaying a great number of people. The
natives assembled and went up against them in great haste ; but
just as they were about to give battle, their generals Frana,
Frithogist, and Godwin, being Danes by the father's side, betrayed
their men and were the first to flee. The same year king Aethelred
ordered Algar, son of the said ealdorman Alfric, to be deprived of
eye-sight.
' A.D. 994. On the day of St. Mary's nativity [8th Sept.], Anlaf,
king of the Norwegians, and Suuein, king of the Danes, arrived
at London, with ninety-four ships, and presently endeavoured to
break in and burn it ; but by the aid of God and his mother Mary,
they were repelled by the citizens, with no small loss to their army.
Maddened with rage and sorrow, they retired thence the same day,
and first on the sea-coast of East Saxony and Kent, and then in
South Saxony and the province of Hampshire, burnt the vills, laid
waste the fields, destroyed as many as possible of both sexes by
fire and sword, and carried off great spoil. Finally, they obtained
horses by force, and madly scouring numerous provinces, spared
neither women nor children of tender age, but slew all with brutal
ferocity. Then king Aetiielred, by the advice of his nobles, sent
messengers to them, promising that if they would entirely desist
from their barbarities, he would pay to tliem a tribute and a regular
stipend. Tliey agreed to the king's terms, and returned to their
ships, and so assembled their whole army at Southampton, and
A.D. 997.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 253
wintered there. The whole of the stipend was paid by West
Saxony, but the tribute, which amounted to sixteen thousand
pounds, was made up by all England.
In the meanwhile, Alfeag, bishop of Winchester, and the noble
ealdorman Aethelward, went to king Anlaf by order of king Aethel-
red, and, hostages being given, conducted him in state to Andover,
a royal vill, where the king was staying : the king received him
graciously, caused him to be confirmed by the bishop, adopted him
for his son, and made him a splendid present. He, on his part,
promised to king Aethelred that he would never more come with
an army to England, and then returned to his fleet : at the begin-
ning of summer he sailed for his own country, and faithfully
observed his promise.
A.D. 995. A comet was seen. 'Siric, archbishop of Canterbury,
died, and Alfric, bishop of Wiltshire, succeeded him. Lindisfarne-
li is the name of an island commonly called Halig-Ealand [Holy
Island], and is situate in the sea. Every day the going down of
the tide leaves a di-y road across for such as wish to go there.
Cuthbert, and his predecessors and successors, for a long time had
their episcopal see in this island. But when Hinguar and Hubba
ravaged England [a.d. 875], Eardulf, who was then bishop of
Lindisfarne, and those who belonged to his church, took the
uncorrupted corpse of St. Cuthbert, and quitted the island on
account of the cruelties of the barbarians, and for some years,
with the body of St. Cuthbert, shifted his residence from place to
place, until the episcopal see was fixed at a place called Kunege-
ceastre [Chester-le-street], which happened in the time of Alfred,
king of the English. After the lapse of many years, in the reign
of Aethelred, king of the English, the sacred corpse was brought to
Durham, as had been foreshown by an oracle from heaven, and the
episcopal see was fixed there. For this reason, the holy Beda
places the church of Lindisfarne where the episcopal see originally
was ; for in Beda's time Durham was not known. However, in the
year 995 from the Incarnation of Christ, the episcopal see was
transferred to Durham.
A.D. 996. Alfric, archbishop of Canterbury, was consecrated.
A.D. 997. The Danish army, which had remained in England,
sailed round West Saxony, entered the mouth of the river Severn,
and ravaged sometimes North Wales, sometimes Cornwall, and
then Watchet in Devonshire, burning many vills, and slaying a
multitude of men. Thence returning to Penwithsteort [Land's-
End], and arriving at the mouth of the river Tamar, which divides
Devonshire and Cornwall, and meeting with no opposition, they
landed, and kept on burning as far as Lideford, and renewed their
massacres. In addition, they burned the monastery of Ordulf,
ealdorman of Devonshire, called Tavistock : they then returned to
their ships, laden with immense booty, and wintered there. ^
* " On the death of Siric, archbishop of Canterbury, he was succeeded by
Alfric, bishop of Wilton, who had been a monk of Glastonbury; who, on his part,
was succeeded at Wilton by Brihtwold." A. in another hand.
2 " Sigar, bishop of Wells, being dead, Alwia succeeded," A. addit.
254 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 998—
A.D. 998. The aforesaid army of Pagans landed at the mouth
of the river called Frome, and laid Nvaste the greater part of
Dorsetshire. It thence made frequent expeditions to the Isle of
Wight, and back again to Dorsetshire, hunting after plunder as
usual ; and as often as it lay at the Isle of Wight, it got provisions
from South Saxony and Hampshire. Many times was an army
collected to oppose this terrible nuisance ; but as often as they
were about to join battle, the English, either victims to treachery
or some mischance, turned their backs, and left the victory in
the hands of the enemies.^
A.D. 999. The oft-mentioned army of Pagans entered the mouth
of the river Thames, and went up the Medway to Rochester, and
in a few days laid siege to it. The men of Kent assembled to drive
them back, and fought a sharp battle with them ; but, after great
slaughter on both sides, the Danes remained masters of the field of
carnage. They tlien took horse, and laid waste nearly all the
western portion of Kent. On hearing this, Aethelred, king of the
English, by the advice of his nobles, collected a fleet and a land
army. But while the fleet was being got ready, the generals of the
army day by day made some excuse for delaying the expedition,
and in consequence were a great burden on the people. The end
of it was that neither the fleet nor the land army performed any
action of general benefit, but oppressed the people, wasted a great
deal of money, and exasperated the enemy.
A.D. 1000. ^This year the aforesaid army of Danes went to
Normandy. King Aethelred laid waste nearly the whole of the
Cumbrian territory. He gave orders to his fleet to sail round
North Wales, and meet him at an appointed place : it was pre-
vented from so doing by the violence of the wind, but, nevertheless,
laid waste the island of Mona.
A.D. 1001. The body of St. Ivo, the archbishop, was discovered.
The aforesaid army of Pagans returned from Normandy to England,
and entered the mouth of the river Exe, and presently set out to
storm the city of Exeter ; but while endeavouring to make a
breach in the wall, it w^as driven back by the citizens, who defended
their city with valour. Exasperated beyond measure at this, the
said army roamed through Devonshire, as usual burning the towns,
laying waste the fields, and slaughtering the inhabitants. So the
men of Devonshire and Somersetshire joined in a bodv, and fouglit
a battle with them at a place called Penho ; but the English, not
having many soldiers among them, were unable to withstand the
multitude of the Danes, and took to flight ; so the Danes made
great havoc among them, and got the victory. After that, having
supplied themselves with horses, they scoured nearly all Devonshire,
doing more mischief than ever, and having obtained immense
booty, went back to their ships. Thence they directed their course
' " Aelfric, bishop of Devonshire, Tieing tloccased, Alfwold succeeded, and to
him Ahvold the Second." A. in another hand.
* From this point Petrie has preserved in his text of Florence all the passages
which that writer has introduced into his own work from Mnrianus Scotus; and
in this respect hia edition has been followed.
A.D. 1003.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 255
to the Isle of Wight, and plundered as usual without opposition,
sometimes there, sometimes in Hampshire, and sometimes in
Dorsetshire, attacking the inhabitants and burning the towns, to
such an extent, that the fleet dared not assail them by sea, nor the
army by land ; whereat the king was not a little sad, and the people
were downcast beyond expression.
A.D. 1002. Aethelred, king of the English, having consulted
with the magnates of his kingdom, thought it prudent to make a
treaty with the Danes, and to give them a stipend and pay a tribute
by way of appeasing them, and inducing them to cease from their
evil doings. Leofsi the ealdormanwas sent to them on this matter;
and on his arrival urged them to accept the stipend and tribute.
They were well pleased at his mission, accepted the terms, and
fixed the amount of tribute for which they were to keep peace.
Shortly afterwards, twenty-four thousand pounds were paid to them.
In the interval, the said ealdorman Leofsi slew Eafic, the king's
high-reeve, a man of noble birth ; at which the king was very
wroth, and drove him out of the country. In the same year, king
Aethelred married Emma, called in Saxon Alfgiva, the daughter of
Richard the First, duke of the Normans. On Wednesday the 17th
of the kalends of May [15th April], in the fifteenth indiction, and
the twenty-fifth year of Aethelred, king of the Enghsh, Aldulf, arch-
bishop of York, in company with his bishops, abbats, priests,
monks, and religious men, disentombed the bones of the arch-
bishop St. Oswald, and deposited them with great pomp in a chest
prepared for the purpose : he, too, shortly afterwards, to wit, on the
2d of the nones of IVTay [6th of JMay], died, and was buried in the
church of St. ]\lary at Worcester; abbot Wulstan succeeded him.
IMoreover, in this year king Aethelred ordered all the Danes who
were in England, both great and small, of either sex, to be slain,
inasmuch as they had endeavoured to deprive him and his nobles
of their fives and kingdom, and to get possession of the whole
realm of England.
^ Henry, the 93d [emperor] of the Romans, reigned twenty-two
years. He was elected by the people on Sunday the 7th of the
ides of June [7th June], and on the same day was consecrated and
crowned king by Willigis, archbishop of IMentz, before the altar of
St. Martin.
A.D. 1003. ^Octavian was pope, being the 138th. In this year
Suuein, king of the Danes, broke into the city of Exeter through
the stupidity, carelessness, and surrender of Hugo, a Norman earl,^
whom queen Emma had set in command over Devonshire ; and he
plundered it, broke down the wall from the eastern to the western
gate, and having gotten great booty went back to his ships. After
this, as he was ravaging Wiltshire, a strong army out of Hamp-
shire and Wiltshire assembled, and went up boldly and perseveringly
to fight against the enemy. But when the armies had approached
so near as to be in sight of each other, the before-mentioned
* To the end of the year is from Marianus.
^ This first sentence is also from Marianus.
^ The Saxon Chronicle calls him " ceorl."
256 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1004—
ealdorman Alfric, who then was in command of the Englisli,
immediately began his old practices — feigned illness, and began to
vomit, saying that he was grievously ill, and therefore could not
engage the enemy. The army, seeing his inactivity and cowardice,
very sorrowfully turned aside from the enemy without fighting; as
it is said in the old proverb, " U the leader trembles in the fight,
all the other combatants are thereby made more fearful." Suuein,
seeing the irresolution of the English, led his army to the city of
"Wilton, and pillaged and burned it. In like manner he burned
Saerbyrie [Old Sarum], and then returned to his ships. 'Kilian, a
Scot, and abbot of St. Martin in Scotland, died on the 19th of the
kalends of January [14th Dec.]. Helias, a Scot, succeeded him.
A.D. 1004. Suuein, king of the Danes, came with his fleet to
Norwich, and pillaged and burned it. Then Ulfketell, ealdorman
of the East Angles, a man of great bravery, inasmuch as he had
come up on a sudden and had no time to collect an army, took
counsel with the magnates of East Anglia, and made peace with
him. But three weeks afterwards he [Sweyn] broke the treaty, and,
landing his forces secretly, attacked Thetford, and pillaged it ;
remained there for one night, and early the next morning burned
it. The ealdorman Ulfketell, when he heard this, ordered some of
the natives to break up the enemies' ships : but they either dared
not do this or else neglected his orders. He, however, in the
meantime, secretly and with all celerity assembled his army, and
went up boldly against the enemy. As they were marching back
to their ships he met them with a very inferior force, and fought a
very severe battle with them : the slaughter was great on both sides,
and the chief men of the East Anglians fell; the Danes were barely
able to make their escape, but if the East Anglians had been in
full force they would never have got back to their ships. Tliey
themselves confessed that they had never in England sustained
such a stubborn and fierce attack as that made on them by ealdor-
man Ulfkettel.
A.D. 1005. In this year there was a great and terrible famine in
England ; in consequence, Suuein, king of the Danes, went back
to Denmark ; but only to return after a short time.^
A.D. 1006. Alfric, archbishop of Canterbuiy, died,' and was
succeeded by Alfeag, bishop of Winchester, ^Kenulf being ap-
pointed to the bishopric of the latter. King Aethelred deprived
his especial favourite Wulfgeat, son of Leoueca, of his possessions
and dignities ; [this he did] because of his unjust decrees and
haughty deeds. The crafty and perfidious Edric Strcona, plotting
mischief against the noble ealdorman Alfhelm, prepared a great
feast for him at Shrewsbury : and on his arrival pursuant to the
invitation, Edric welcomed him like an intimate friend. On the
third or fourth day of the entertainment, having laid an ambush,
' From Marianua to the end of tlie year.
* " On the death of Alwin, bishop of Wells, Living succeeded, who was also
called Athelstan." A. addit.
^ " and was buried at Abingdon, of which he had been a monk ; but dviring the
reign of king Cnut he was translated to his own see." B. addit.
* A. adds that ho was abbot of Burgh [Peterborough].
A.D. lOOS.j THE CHRONICLE OP^ FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 257
he took him into a wood to hunt. There, when all were occupied
in the chase, the hangman of Shrewsbury, called Godwin Porthund
(which signifies. The town's hound), whom Edric had long before
steeled to commit the crime by great gifts and many promises, sud-
denly leapt out of ambush, and vilely slew the ealdorman Alfhelm.
A short time afterwards, his sons Wulfheag and Ufeget were by
king Aethelred's orders deprived of sight at Cocham, where he was
then staying. Kenulf, bishop of Winchester, died, and was suc-
ceeded by Aethelwold.
In the succeeding month of July, an immense fleet of the Danes
came over to England, landed at the port of Sandwich, destroyed
everything that lay in their way with fire and sword, and took large
booty, sometimes in Kent and sometimes in South Saxony. Where-
fore king Aethelred assembled an army from Mercia and West
Saxony, and resolved to fight stoutly against them : they, however,
were by no means desirous of meeting him in the field, but went
perpetually plundering from place to place, and then by-and-by
went back as usual to their ships : in this way they harassed the
English army during the whole autumn. As the latter returned
(for the winter was now at hand) they crossed over to the Isle of
Wight with great booty, and remained there until the feast of the
Nativity of our Lord [25th Dec] ; when, as the king was staying
in Shropshire, they went through Hampshire into Berkshire, and
burned Reading, Walinford, Cholsey, and many other places.
Thence they moved on, and crossing Ashdown came to Cuuic-
elmeslawe [Cuckamsley-hill]. Returning thence by another road,
they came upon the people who dwelt near the Kennet drawn up
there in battle array, and immediately attacked them and put them
to flight : they then returned to their ships with the spoil which
they had taken.
A.D. 1007. ^ The twenty-sixth cycle of nineteen years began on
the fifth indiction. In this year Aethelred, king of the English,
with the assent of his nobles, sent messengers to the Danes, bid-
ding them say, that he would supply them with provisions and pay
a tribute if they would refrain from pillage and keep peace with
him. They agreed to his terms ; and thenceforth all England
supplied them with provisions : and 36,000 pounds were paid to
them by way of tribute. In the same year the king made the
aforesaid Edric, son of Aegelric, ealdorman of the Mercians ; he
was a man of humble birth, but his tongue procured him both
riches and high station ; he was of a ready wit, of persuasive
eloquence, and surpassed all his contemporaries in malice, perfidy,
pride, and cruelty. His brothers were Brihtric, Alfric, Goda,
Agelwin, Agelward, and Agelmer, the father of Wulnoth, who was
the father of Godwin, ealdorman of the West Saxons.
A.D. 1008. *The solar cycle began, four bissextile years falling
together. Aethelred, king of the English, commanded ships to be
built all over England, making every 310 hides supply one ship,
and every nine furnish a coat of mail and a helmet. When all
' This first sentence is from Marianus.
2 This sentence also is derived from Marianus.
VOL. II. S
258 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1009—
the ships were ready, he manned them with picked soldiers and
victualled them ; and then, with a view to protect the boundaries
of the kingdom against foreign invasions, assembled them at the
port of Sandwich, At that time or a little before, Brihtric, one of
the brothers of the traitorous ealdorman Edric Streona, (a wavering,
ambitious, and haughty man,) brought to the king a false accusa-
tion against Wulnoth, a South -Saxon thane, who, in order to
avoid being made prisoner, presently fled, and having got possession
of twenty ships, frequently pillaged the sea coast. But when it
was told to the king's fleet that any one who chose could easily
capture him, Brihtric took eighty ships, and went after him ; but,
after a quiet voyage of some duration, a most violent storm arose
and separated the ships, shattered them, and cast them on the
beach : and shortly afterwards Wulnoth burned them. On the
arrival of this news, the king, with his ealdormen and nobles,
returned home ; but the fleet by his orders w'ent to London ; and
so this great effort on the part of the people was thrown away.
A.D. 1009. ' Leo was pope, being the hundred and thirty-ninth.
Turkill, a Danish earl, came over to England with his fleet ; after-
wards, in the month of August, another countless fleet of Danes,
under the command of Hemming and Eiglaf, came over to the
Isle of Thanet, and without delay joined the other fleet. Thence
both fleets went to Sandwich, where the troops landed, marched in
battle array to the city of Canterbur}^ and began to attack it. The
citizens of Canterbury, with the inhabitants of East Kent, soon
sued for peace, and obtained it, giving three thousand pounds as a
consideration. The Danes went back to their ships, and directed
their course to the Isle of Wight ; whence (as usual) they made
frequent descents for pillage on the sea coasts of South Saxony and
the province of Southampton, and burned numerous vills. In
consequence, king Aethelrcd collected an army from all parts of
England, and stationed it along the sea coast to oppose their
descents. But for all this, they did not desist from plundering at
every point. But once, when they had gone pillaging further
inland than usual, and were returning laden with booty, the king
posted himself with many thousand men on the road along which
they were returning to their ships ; and, as he had the whole army
with him, made up his mind to conquer or die. But the perfldious
ealdorman Edric Streona (he was the king's son-in-lavs', having
married his daughter Eadgith) used all his endeavours, by wiles
and crafty speeches, to prevent a battle, and to allow the enemy to
depart on that occasion. He persuaded, and gained his point: like
a traitor to his country, he rescued the Danes from the hands of the
English, and suff'ered them to escape. So the Danes turned aside,
and with great joy regained their ships. After the feast-day of
St. Martin [11th Nov.], they sailed to Kent, and fixing their
winter quarters in the river Thames, obtained provisions by plun-
dering East Saxony and the other provinces on either side of the
river. They often attacked the city of London, and endeavoured
' JIarianus furnishe.-j tliis first sentence.
A.D. 1011.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 259
to take it by storm ; but the citizens drove them back with great
loss.^
A.D. 1010. ^Bishop Bruno suffered martyrdom. The aforesaid
Danish army quitted their ships in the month of January, marched
to Oxford through the wood called Chiltern, and plundered it and
burned it ; then they returned, pillaging both sides of the river
Thames. Information being given to them that an army was
assembled at London for the purpose of giving them battle, that
portion of their army which was going along the northern bank
crossed over at a place called Stane, and their united forces, laden
with spoil, marched through Surrey back to their ships ; these they
refitted during Lent, while they were staying in Kent. After
Easter [9th April] they sailed to East Anglia, and, landing near
Ipswich, marched to a place called Ringmere, where they knew
the ealdorman Ulfketell was posted with his army, and on the 3d
of the nones of May [5th May], fought a severe battle with him.
WQiile the fight was raging, the East Anglians fled ; one Turkitel, a
Danish thane, surnamed Myrenheafod, that is, Mare's-head, being
the first to fly. The Cambridge men fought manfully, and kept
their ground for a long while, but were at last overcome and com-
pelled to retire. In this battle fell Aethelstan, the king's son-in-
law, a noble thane named Oswi and his son, Wulfric, the son of
Leofwin, Eadwi, brother of the afore-mentioned Alfric, many
other noble thanes, and common people innumerable. The Danes
being [thus] masters of the field of carnage, got possession of East
Anglia ; and having provided themselves with horses, for three
months without ceasing scoured the whole province, pillaging,
burning the vills, and slaughtering men and cattle ; in the fens too
everything shared the same fate. They aftei-^A'ards plundered and
burned Thetford and Cambridge. After this they went back to
the river Thames, the infantry going by ship, and the cavalry on
horseback. After the lapse of a few days they again went out to
plunder, and marching straight to Oxfordshire, first laid waste that
province, and then Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertford-
shire, burning the vills and putting man and beast to death : they
then returned with great booty to their ships. After this, about
the feast-day of St. Andrew the apostle [30th Nov.], they burned
Northampton and as much of its environs as they pleased ; going
thence, they crossed the river Thames, went into West Saxony,
burned Caningamersce, and the greater part of Wiltshire, and,
with great spoil as usual, returned to their ships about the feast of
our Lord's Nativity [25th Dec.].
A.D. 1011. ^Willigis, archbishop of Mentz, died, on Friday
the 7th of the kalends of March [23d Feb.] : he was succeeded by
Erkanbald, abbot of Fulda. East Anglia, East Saxony, Middle
Saxony, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Bedford-
shire, Cambridgeshire, half of Huntingdonshire, and a great part of
Northamptonshire, and — on the south side of the Thames — Kent,
1 " On the death of Osbriht. bishop of Selsey, Almar succeeded." A. .nddit.
2 The first sentence is from Marianus.
^ This sentence also is from the same authority.
S2
2C)0 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1012—
Surrey, South Saxony, Southamptonshire, Wiltshire, and Berkshire,
being, by the aforesaid Danish army, utterly wasted with fire and
sword, Aethelred, king of the English, and the nobles of his
kingdom, sent messengers to them suing for peace ; promising pay
and tribute if they would desist from their ravages. Having given
audience to the messengers, they agreed to the terms offered ; but,
as the event showed, not without fraud and simulation : for although
provisions were supplied to them in abundance, and a tribute
fixed by themselves was paid, yet they continued in bands to
scour the country in every direction, laying waste the vills, plunder-
ing some of the unfortunate inhabitants, and killing others. At
length, between the feast-day of the Nativity of St. Mary [8th
Sept.] and the feast-day of St. Michael [29th Sept.], they dug a
trench round Canterbury, and laid siege to it. On the twentieth
day of the siege the city was set on fire by the treacherous contrivance
of the archdeacon Almear, whose life St. Alfeg had formerly saved ;
and so the army entered and the city was taken : some [of the
citizens] were slain by the sword, some were burned in the flames,
many were hurled from the walls, and some were hung up by their
private parts, and so died. Matrons were dragged by their hair
through the streets of the city, and then flung into the fire.
Infants torn from their mother's breasts were caught on the points
of spears, or ground to pieces by chariots driven over them.
Meanwhile, the archbishop Alfeg was taken prisoner, put in fetters,
imprisoned, and tortured in various ways. Almar, abbot of St.
Augustine's monastery, was allowed to depart ; Godwin, bishop of
Rochester, was taken prisoner, and so were Leofruna, abbess of
St. Mildrith's monastery [in Thanet], Alfred, the king's reeve, the
monks and canons also, and countless people of both sexes. There
Christ's church was pillaged and burned, and all the monks and
laity, both men, women, and children, were decimated ; nine
out of every ten being slain, and the tenth kept alive. This
decimation extended to the total amount of four monks and eight
hundred laymen. After this slaughter of the people, devastation,
and conflagration of the city, the archbishop Alfeag was brought
out in fetters, driven along, wounded grievously, and led to tlie
fleet ; then he was thrust back into prison and there badly treated
for the space of seven months. In the meanwhile the wrath of
God broke out against that murderous people, and slew two
thousand of them by means of excruciating disorders of the bowels.
The rest, being attacked in a similar manner, were admonished by
the faithful to make satisfaction to tiie arclibisbop; but they refused
so to do. The mortality went on increasing, carrying them ofl" by
tens, twenties, and upwards.
A.D. 1012. The traitorous ealdorman, Edric Streona, and all
the chief men of every degree in England, assembled <at London
before Easter, and remained there until the tribute of forty-eight
thousand pounds, which had been promised to the Danes, was paid.
Meanwhile, on the holy Saturday, when our Lord rested in the
tomb [12th April], the Danes proposed to archbishop Alfeag that
he should purchase his life and liberty for three thousand pounds,
A.D. 1013.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 261
On his refusal they put off killing him to another Saturday. When
that day arrived they wrought themselves up to great fury against
him ; and inasmuch as they were exceedingly drunk with wine, and
he had forbidden any person to pay anything towards his ransom,
they took him out of prison and dragged him before their council.
Presently they started from their seats, and, putting aside their
axes, flung him down and battered him with stones, bones, and
oxen's heads. At length, a fellow named Thrum, whom he had
confirmed the day previously, moved with impious pity, split his
head with an axe : thereupon, being the 13th of the kalends of
May [19th April], he slept in the Lord, and his conquering spirit
went triumphantly to heaven. On the following day his corpse
was carried to London, received with great reverence by the
citizens, and buried in St. Paul's church, by Eadnoth, bishop of
Lincoln [Dorchester], and Alfhun, bishop of London. After these
things, the tribute being paid, and the peace confirmed with oaths,
the Danish fleet, which before kept together, dispersed far and
wide ; but forty-five of their ships remained with the king, and
swore fealty to him, and engaged on their fealty to defend England
against foreigners, on condition that he would supply them with
food and raiment.
A.D. 1013. Living was appointed to the archbishopric of
Canterbury.
In the month of July, Sweyn, king of the Danes, came with a
strong fleet to the port of Sandwich, and after remaining there for
a few days, departed ; and sailing round East Anglia, entered the
mouth of the river Humber ; thence he w^ent up the river Trent as
far as Gainsborough, and encamped there. Earl Uhtred and the
Northumbrians, and the inhabitants of Lindesey, immediately sub-
mitted to him ; then the people of the Five Burghs, and aftenvards
all who dwelt north of Watling-street, that is, the street which the
sons of king Weatla made right across England, from the eastern
to the western sea ; and having agreed upon a peace with him, and
given hostages, swore fealty to him : [then] he commanded them
to supply his army with horses and provisions. Having completed
tliese arrangements, and entrusted the army and hostages to his son
Canute, he made a selection from those who had submitted to him,
and made an expedition against the South Mercians ; and, passing
Watling-street, gave orders to his men to lay waste the fields, burn
the vills, pillage the churches, slay all the men who fell into their
hands, keep the women to appease their lust, and do as much mis-
chief as ever they could. Then he came to Oxford (his men all
the while obeying his orders and rioting with beastly ferocity), and
got possession of it sooner than he expected ; and, taking hostages,
he hastened on to Winchester. On his arrival at Winchester, the
citizens (terrified at his excessive cruelty) quickly made peace with
him, and gave him as many hostages of his own selection as he
chose to demand. Having taken the hostages, he moved his army
towards London, but many of his men were drowned in the river
Thames, because they would not [take the trouble to] seek for a
bridge or a ford. On reaching London, he tried in various ways
262 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1014.
to take it, either by stratagem or by force. But Aethelred, king
of the Enghsh, and the citizens, assisted by the often-mentioned
Danish earl, Turkill, who was then in the city with him, bravely
defended the city walls, and drove him off. Thus repulsed he
departed, pillaging and destroying, as usual, cver)'thing in his path,
and went first to Wallingford, and afterwards to Bath, where he
sate down to refresh his army. Tlien there came to him Athelinar,
ealdorman of Devonshire, accompanied by the western thanes, who
made peace with him, giving hostages. Having accomplished all
things according to his wishes, he returned to his fleet, and was
called and esteemed king by all the English people, if indeed he can
be called a king who acted in most things like a tyrant. Moreover,
the citizens of London sent hostages and made peace with him ;
for they feared that he was so enraged against them that he would
deprive them of all their property, and either cause their eyes to be
put out, or have their hands or feet amputated. When king Aethel-
red saw this, he sent queen Emma into Normandy, to her brother,
Richard the Second, earl of Normandy, together with his sons, Kiid-
ward and Alfred, their tutor Alfhun, bishop of London, and Alfsin,
abbot of Medhamstead. He himself, however, remained for a
short time with the Danish fleet, which then lay in the river Thames,
at a place called Grenewic [Greenwich] ; and afterwai'd sailed over
to the Isle of Wight, and celebrated Christmas there. After Christ-
mas he sailed to Normandy, and was honourably received by earl
Richard. Meanwhile the tyrant Sweyn commanded that his fleet
should be abundantly supplied with provisions, and ordered that
payment of an almost insupportable tribute should be made. Earl
Turkill issued the same orders with respect to the fleet which was
lying at Greenwich : in addition, each of them went plundering
whenever he chose, and committed great enormities.
A.D. 1014. The tyrant Sweyn, after having committed innume-
rable and cruel atrocities, both in England and in other countries,
filled up the measure of his damnation by demanding a large tribute
from the town where rests the uncorrupted corpse of the precious
martyr, Eadmund, — a thing which no one had dared to do since the
town was given to the church of that saint. He threw out freq\ient
threats that if it was not speedily paid he would certainly burn the
town and the townsmen, rase to the ground the church of the said
martyr, and torture the clerks in various modes. Moreover, he
frequently dared to depreciate the martyr in many ways, and with
profane and sacrilegious mouth to bawl out that he was a person of
no sanctity. But because he would not curb his malice, divine
vengeance did not suffer his blasphemy to last any longer. As he
was reiterating his threats, towards evening, in a general muster
which he was one day holding at Gainsborough, and surrounded by
very dense files of Danes, he alone saw St. Eadmund coming armed
against him. He was terrified at the sight, and began to cry in a
very loud voice, " Help, my comrades, lielp ! lo ! St. Eadmund is
coming to kill me." As he was speaking, the saint ran him through
fiercely with a spear, and he fell from the stallion whereon he was
sitting, and remaining in great agony until twilight, he died miserably.
A.D. 1015.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 2G3
on the 3d of the nones of February [3d Feb.]. On his death the
Danish fleet chose his son Canute to be their king. But the elders
of all England unanimously sent messengers in great haste to Aethel-
red, king of the English, saying they neither did nor would love any
one better than their natural lord, if he would govern them better
and treat them with greater kindness than formerly. On hearing
this message, he sent his son Edward to them, accompanied with
messengers, and greeted in a kindly way all his people, both great
and small, and promised that if they would unanimously and without
treachery receive him for king, he would be a gentle and loving lord
to them, would consult their wishes and abide by their counsels in
everything, and would benevolently pardon all their outrageous and
disgraceful speeches against him, and all their opposition to him.
To this they all sent back a kind answer. Then both sides agreed,
verbally and by treaty, to a comprehensive peace. In addition, the
chief men engaged that they would never more admit the Danish
king into England. After this the English sent to Normandy, and
the king was very soon, to wit, in Lent, brought over, and was
received with universal honour.
IVLeanwhile Canute and the people of Lindesey agreed, that when
his army was provided with horses, they would make a joint plun-
dering expedition ; but before the horses were ready, king Aethelred
arrived there with a strong army, and having expelled Canute and
his fleet, laid waste and burned the whole of Lindesey, and slew as
many of the inhabitants as he could. Canute, however, consulted
his safety by a speedy flight ; and, directing his course to the south,
soon arrived at the port of Sandwich : there he brought out the
hostages which had been given to his father from all parts of Eng-
land ; and after their hands and ears had been cut off, and their
nostrils slit up, allowed them to depart : he then went to Denmark,
but only to return Ihe next year. In addition to these calamities,
king Aethelred ordered a tribute of thirty thousand pounds to be
paid to the fleet which lay at Greenwich. On the 3d of the
kalends of October [29th Sept.] the sea broke its bounds, and
overwhelmed many vills and innumerable people in England.
A.D. 1015. In this year, as a great council was being held at
Oxford, the traitorous ealdorman Edric Streona craftily invited
Sigeferth and IVIorcar, sons of Earngrim, and the most considerable
and powerful thanes of the Seven Burghs, to come to his chamber,
and had them secretly killed there: king Aethelred took possession
of their property, and ordered Aldgith, the widow of Sigeferth,
to be taken to the city of IMaidulf [IVIalmesbury] : during her cap-
tivity, Eadmund the etheling came there and married her against
his father's will: between the feast of the Assumption [15th Aug.]
and the feast of the Nativity of St. IViary [8th Sept.] he went to the
people of the Five Burghs, invaded the possessions of Sigeferth
and IMorcar, and brought the inhabitants thereof under his own
dominion. During the same period Canute, king of the Danes,
came with a great fleet to the port of Sandwich ; and afterwards
sailing past Kent, entered the mouth of the river Frome, and
plundered greatly in Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and Wiltshire.
264 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1016.
Then, because king Aethelred lay sick at Cosham, his son Eadmund
the ethehng, on one side, and Edric Streona, that ealdorman full
of treachery and guile, on the other, assembled a great army; but
on uniting their forces the ealdorman laid all manner of snares for
the etheling, and endeavoured to compass his death. On this plot
being discovered, they both separated and gave place to their
enemies. Shortly aftenvards the ealdorman enticed away from the
king's fleet forty ships full of Danish soldiers, and, going to Canute,
entered into his service. The West Saxons did the same, giving
hostages ; they afterwards also supplied the army with horses.^
A.D. 1016. Canut, king of the Danes, and the traitorous
ealdorman Edric Streona, crossed the river Thames with a large
body of cavalry at a place called Cricgelade [Cricklade], and
entered Mercia in hostile guise just before the feast of our Lord's
Epiphany [Jan. 6], and devastated and burned many vills in War-
wickshire, and slew everybody they met. When this came to the
ears of the etheling Eadmund, surnamed Ironside, he mustered an
army in great haste; but when it was mustered the Mercians re-
fused to attack the Danes and West Saxons unless in company with
Adelred and the citizens of London: so the expedition was laid
aside, and every one returned home. After the feast [of Epiphany],
the etheling Eadmund again raised a still larger army : when he
had mustered it he sent messengers to London requesting his
father to meet him as quickly as possible with all the men whom
he could command : the latter levied a large body of fighting men,
and hastened to meet him. But when the two armies had united,
it was hinted to the king that unless he was very careful some of
his auxiliaries would betray him. On that account he shortly
afterwards dismissed the army and returned to London: but the
etheling went into Northumbria. Wherefore some persons con-
jectured that he was going to raise a still larger army against Canute :
but as Canute and Edric on the one hand laid waste provinces, even
so did he and Uhtred, earl of the Northumbrians, on the other.
They first laid waste Staffordshire, then Shropshire, and Leicester-
shire, for refusing to go out to fight against the Danish army.
Meanwhile Canute and Edric Streona laid waste Buckinghamshire,
Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire,
and Nottinghamshire, and afterwards Northumbria. As soon as
the etheling Eadmund heard this, he left off tlie work of devasta-
tion, and hastened to his father in London. But Uhtred the earl
returned home, and, driven by necessity, he and all the Northum-
brians went over to Canute, and gave hostages to him; nevertheless,
with Canute's connivance, if not by his command, he and Turkettel,
son of Neavana, were put to death by Thurebrand, a noble Dane.
Canute then made Egric an earl in Uhtrcd's place, and, marching
rapidly to the south by a different road, he and all his army re-
gained the fleet before the festival of Easter.
About this time, namely on Monday the 9th of the kalends of
May [23d April], in the fourteenth indiction, Aethelred, king of
* " On the death of AethuhvaW, bwhop of Wiuchcstcr, Aolsi, called also Elfwin,
succeeded." A.
A.D. 1010.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 265
the English, died at London after a Hfe of great disquiet and mani-
fold tribulations, all which St. Dunstan on his coronation-day, after
placing the crown on his head, prophetically announced as about to
come upon him: "Because," said he, "thou hast obtained the
kingdom by the death of thy brother, whom thy mother has slain,
therefore, hear now the word of the Lord ; thus saith the Lord,
' The sword shall not depart from thy house, but shall rage against
thee all the days of thy life, slaying thy seed, until thy kingdom be
given to another kingdom whose manners and language the nation
whom thou governest knoweth not.' And thy sin, and the sin of
thy mother, and the sins of the men who have wickedly shed
blood by her direction, shall be expiated only by long-continued
punishment." His body was honourably buried in the church of
St. Paul the apostle. After his death, the bishops, abbots, ealdor-
men, and all the nobles of England assembled, and unanimously
chose Canute to be their lord and king ; and having come to him at
Southampton, and renounced and repudiated all the descendants
of king Aethelred, made peace with and swore fealty to him ; and
he, in his turn, swore that both in Divine and secular affairs he
would be a faithful master to them. But the citizens of London
and some of the nobles who were then at London, unanimously chose
Eadmund the ethehng to be king. Exalted to the kingly throne, he
boldly and without delay marched into West Saxony, and being
gladly welcomed by the whole population, he quickly reduced it
under his dominion; and a great number of the English people,
hearing of this, hastened to make spontaneous submission to him.
Meanwhile, about rogation week [7th May], Canute went to
London with all his fleet. On their arrival they dug a great
trench on the south side of the river Thames, and drew their
ships [along it] to the west of the bridge ; they afterwards dug
a deep and broad trench round the city and closely besieged it,
thereby preventing all ingress and egress, and made frequent
assaults on it; but the citizens made a vigorous resistance, and
drove them to a distance from the walls. So, abandoning the
siege for a time, and leaving a portion of the army to guard
the ships, they marched into West Saxony with such speed that
king Eadmund Ironside had no time to muster his army. Never-
theless, with the troops which in this short time he had got
together, he boldly marched into Dorsetshire against them, trusting
in God for help, and attacking them at a place called Peonn [Pen],
near Gillingham, routed them and put them to flight. After mid-
summer, having again assembled a larger army than before, he
boldly resolved to attack Canute, and fell in with him at a place
called Scearstan,^ in Hwiccia. There he arranged the positions
and division of his forces, placed all the best men in the foremost
ranks, supporting them and the remainder of the army, and,
addressing each by name, exhorted and entreated them to re-
member that they were about to fight for their country, their
children, their wives, and their homes, and by an excellent address
stirred up the courage of his troops : then he ordered the trumpets
^ Probably Sherston iu Wiltshire.
26G CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. lOlG—
to sound and the army to advance by degrees. The enemy's army
did the Hke. Wlien they came to a spot where they could join
battle, the hostile standards met with tremendous uproar ; they
fought with sword and spear, and with the greatest obstinacy.
Meanwhile king Eadmund Ironside exerted himself to the utmost
in the foremost ranks, provided for every emergency, fought hard
in person, often struck down an enemy, and fulfilled at one and the
same time the duties of a brave soldier and an able general. But,
inasmuch as that most traitorous ealdorman Edric Streona, and
Almar the beloved, and Algar the son of Meawe, who ought to
liave assisted him, had, with the men of Southamptonshire and
Wiltshire, and a countless host, joined the Danes — his army was
overworked. However on the first day of the battle, which was
Monday, the contest was so severe and bloody that at sunset both
armies were unable to continue the fight for very weariness, and
separated as it were with one accord. But on the next day the
king would have exterminated the Danes, had it not been for the
trick of that faithless ealdorman Edric Streona. For as the battle
was raging, and he perceived that the English were gaining advan-
tage, he cut off the head of a man named Osmear, whose face and
hair were very like king Eadmund's, and, holding it up, cried out
that it was useless for the English to fight, saying, " Oh ! ye men
of Dorsetshire, Devonshire and Wiltshire, flee quickly ; ye have
lost your leader : Lo ! here I hold the head of your lord and king
Eadmund : flee with all speed." When the English heard these
words they were terror-struck, more by the atrocity of the thing
than by the credit which they gave to their informer. Some
waverers were nearly induced thereby to flee ; but as soon as it was
known that the king was alive they took courage, pressed the Danes
liarder than ever, slew many of them, and kept fighting with all
their might until dusk, when the armies separated just as they did
the previous dat^ But when the night was far advanced, Canute
ordered his men to leave the camp silently, and, setting out for
London, regained his ships, and shortly afterwards he renewed the
siege of London. Wlicn the morning came, and king Eadmund
Ironside discovered that the Danes had fled, he returned to West
Saxony for the purpose of raising a larger army. His brother-in-
law, the traitorous ealdorman Edric, seeing how energetic he was,
betook himself to him as his lawful lord, and having renewed his
peace with him, swore that he would continue faithful to him. So
the king, with the army which he had assembled for the third time,
delivered the Londoners from their state of siege, and drove back
the Danes to their ships. Two days afterwards he crossed the
Thames at a place called Brentford, fought a third battle against
the Danes and gained the victory, putting them to flight. Many of
the English were drowned on tliat occasion while crossing the river
in a careless manner. Thence the king hastened into West Saxony
for the purpose of collecting a larger army. The Danes, however,
went back to London, laid siege to it, and assaulted it on every
side ; but through God's mercy were wholly unsuccessful. Where-
fore they departed thence witli their fleet, entered the river Arewe,
A.D. 1016.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 267
landed and went into Mercia to pillage, slaying all whom they met,
burning the vills and plundering as usual, and afterwards returned
to their ships : the infantry were taken in ships to the river Med-
way, but the cavalry kept the whole countiy in alarm by their
incessant ravages.
Meanwhile king Eadmund Ironside, for the fourth time, col-
lected a large army out of all parts of England, and fording the
river Thames at the same spot as before, quickly arrived in Kent,
and fought a battle with the Danes near Ottaford [Otford] . They
were unable to withstand his attack, but turned their backs and fled
with their horses to Sheppey. However he slew all whom he
overtook, and if the traitorous ealdorman, Edric Streona, had not by
his wiles and insinuations prevented the king from pursuing his
enemies, by detaining him at Eagelesford [Ailesford], his victory
would that day have been complete. When the king had gone
back into West Saxony, Canute led his forces into East Saxony, and
again went into Mercia to pillage, ordering his army to commit
greater enormities than before. They were not backward in obey-
ing his orders ; and after having beheaded all who fell into their
hands, burnt numerous vills and laid waste the fields, returned
laden with spoil to their ships. Eadmund Ironside, king of the
English, pursued them with the army which he had collected from
all parts of England, and came up with them on their march at
a hill called Assandun [Ashdown], which means The ass's hill.
There he quickly formed his line of battle, supporting it with bodies
of reserve three deep. He then went round to each troop, com-
manding and adjuring them to be mindful of their former valour
and victories, and to defend themselves and his kingdom from the
rapacity of the Danes ; and [reminded them] that they were going
to engage the men whom they had conquered before. Meanwhile
Canute very slowly brought his men down to a level ground ; but
king Eadmund, on the contrary, moved his forces as he had arranged
them with great rapidity, and suddenly gave the word to attack the
Danes. The armies fought obstinately, and many fell on both
sides. But the traitorous ealdorman, Edric Streona, seeing that
the Danish line was giving way, and that the English were getting
the victory, kept the promise which he had previously made to
Canute, and fled with the Magesetas [men of Herefordshire], and
that division of the army which he commanded ; thus craftily cir-
cumventing his lord king Eadmund and the English army, and by
his craft throwing the victory into the hands of the Danes. There
were slain in this battle Alfric the ealdorman, Godwin the ealdorman,
Ulf ketel, ealdorman of the East Angles, Aethelward the ealdorman,
son of God's friend Athelwin, ealdorman of the East Angles, and
almost all the English nobility, who never sustained greater loss in
battle than on that day. Moreover Eadnoth, bishop of Lincoln
[Dorchester], formerly abbot of Ramsey, was slain, as was likewise
abbot Wulsi, both of whom had come to offer up prayers to God
for the soldiers while they were fighting. A few days after this,
king Eadmund Ironside still wished to renew the battle with
Canute, but the traitorous ealdorman Edric and some others pre-
268 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1016—
vented him from so doing, and advised him to make peace with
Canute and divide the kingdom. At length he yielded, although
unwillingly, to their suggestions ; and messengers having passed to
and fro, and hostages having been exchanged, the two kings met at
a place called Deorhyrst. Eadmund and his attendants took up
their station on the western bank of the Severn, and Canute with
his attendants on the eastern bank. Then each king went in a
fishing-boat to an island called Olanege, situate in the middle of
the river Severn. There they agreed and swore to be at peace, and
in friendship, and brotherhood, and the kingdom was divided.
West Saxony, East Anglia, East Saxony, and London, were allotted
to Canute, but the supremacy of the kingdom was to remain with
Eadmund. Afterwards, having exchanged presents of arms and
robes, and fixed the tribute to be paid to the fleet, they separated.
The Danes, however, retired to their ships with the plunder which
they had taken ; and the citizens of London paying a sum of
money, made peace with them, and allowed them to pass the
winter there.
After these things, about the feast-day of St. Andrew the apostle
[30th Nov.], in the fifteenth indiction, king Eadmund Ironside
died at London, and was buried at Glastonbury by the side of his
grandfather, king Edgar the Pacific. After his death, king Canute
commanded all the bishops and ealdormen, and the chief men
and magnates of England, to assemble at London. When they
came into his presence, he, as though in ignorance, cunningly
asked those who were witnesses when he and Eadmund made a
treaty of friendship and divided the kingdom, what conversation
passed between him and Eadmund with regard to the sons and
brothers of the latter ; and whether it was agreed that if Eadmund
died in his lifetime, his brothers and sons were to succeed to the
West-Saxon kingdom after their father's death. They immediately
answered that they knew for certain that king Eadmund had not
reserved any portion of his dominions for his brothers, neither
during his lifetime nor after his death : and they added that they
knew that king Eadmund wished Canute to be protector and
guardian of his sons, until they were of a fit age to reign. But,
(as God knows,) they bore false witness and lied deceitfully, thinking
that he would show them favour and give them large presents in
consideration of their lies : but some of these false witnesses were
shortly afterwards slain by the said king. Then king Canute, after
putting the aforesaid questions, tried to get the aforesaid magnates
to swear fealty to him. So they swore that they would choose him
for their king, and humbly obey him, and raise taxes for the pay-
ment of his army; and receiving the king's bare hand by way of
pledge, and the oaths of the Danish chiefs, they passed by entirely
the brothers and sons of king Eadmund, and denied their right to
become kings. Eadwi, a renowned and most estimable brother of
king Eadmimd, was one of the cthclings, and him they then most
unwarrantably exiled. When king Canute heard of the Hatteries
of these men, and the insult whicii they had offered to Eadwi, he
was qlad, and entering into his chamber, summoned the traitorous
A.D. 1017.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 269
ealdorman Edric, and asked him if he could so entrap Eadwi as to
put his hfe in danger. He answered and said, that he knew a
certain man named Aethelward who could betray him to death
easier than he himself could, and that the king could speak with
him and oiler him a good reward. Having ascertained the man's
name, the king summoned him and said cunningly — " Thus and
thus has Edric the ealdorman spoken to me, saying that you can
manage to procure the death of Eadwi the etheling. Follow
now our counsels, and you shall enjoy all the honours and dignities
of your fathers ; and ask his head of me, and I will hold you dearer
than mine own brother." So he said that he would seek him out,
and slay him if possible. But his promise was only by way of
pretence ; for he did not wish to slay him, being descended from
one of the noblest families in England.*
A.D. 1017. ^Benedict was pope, being the 140th. In this year
king Canute began to reign over all England, and divided it into
four parts, reserving West Saxony for himself, and committing
East Anglia to earl Turkill, Mercia to Edric the ealdorman, and
Northumbria to earl Ire.
The native nobles and people on the one side, and he on the other,
entered into a treaty, swore to remain firm friends, and laid aside
and extinguished their old animosities. Subsequently king Canute,
acting on the advice of the traitorous ealdorman Edric, outlawed
Eadwi the etheling, brother of king Eadmund, and Eadwi, who was
called king of the Churls. The last-named Eadwi was after-
wards reconciled to the king ; but Eadwi the etheling fell a victim
to the treachery of those whom he had up to that time thought to
be his best friends, and was in the same year, at the instance and
command of king Canute, unjustly slain. Moreover, Edric advised
him to slay the little ethelings, Eadward and Eadmund, the sons of
king Eadmund. But thinking that his reputation would suffer if
they were made away with in England, he sent them to the king of
the Swedes to be put to death ; who, although he was in league with
him, would not comply with his request, but sent them to Salomon,
king of the Hungarians, in order that they might be educated and
their lives preserved. One of them, namely Eadmund, in course
of time died there : but Eadward married Agatha, a daughter of
the brother of the emperor, Henry [II.], by whom he had IVIargaret,
queen of the Scots, Cristina, a nun, and Eadgar the etheling. In
the month of July king Canute married Alfgiva, the widow of
king Aethelred; and on the feast of our Lord's Nativity [25th
Dec], being at London, he ordered the traitorous ealdorman,
Edric, to be slain in the palace, (fearing that he himself would at
length suffer from his perfidy in the same manner as Aethelred and
Eadmund, Edric's former lords, had frequently suffered,) and com-
manded his body to be thrown down from the walls and left
unburied. Along with him were slain a 'Norman earl, son of earl
* " Leofsi, the reverend abbot of Thorney, succeeded to the episcopal see of
"Worcester." A. marg. - This first clavise is fi'om Marianus.
^ This passage may be translated thug : — " Along with him were slain earl
Norman, the son of earl Leofwin," &c.
270 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. lOlS—
Leofwin, and brother of earl Leofric, and Aethehvard, son of
Agelmar the ealdorman, and Brihtric, son of Alpheg, a Devonshire
thane, although they had committed no crimes. The king made
Leofric an ealdorman in the place of his brother, the Norman, and
afterwards took him very high into favour.'
A.D, 1018. This year London contributed ten thousand five
hundred, and the rest of England seventy-two thousand pounds, for
the pay of the Danish army; forty ships of their fleet remained with
king Canute, and the rest returned to Denmark. The English and
the Danes agreed at Oxford to live under king Eadgar's law.
A.D. 1019. In this year Canute, king of the English and the
Danes, went to Denmark, and remained there during the winter.^
A.D. 1020. ^On the feast-day of the nativity of Saints Philip
and James [1st May], pope Benedict sang mass in public in the
monasteiy of Fulda, before the emperor Henry, and Richard, abbot
of Fulda. King Canute returned to England, and held a great
council at Cirencester on Easter-day [17th April], and outlawed
Aethehvard the ealdorman. Living, archbishop of Canterbury,
died, and was succeeded by Aethelnoth, surnamed The Good, son
of the noble Aegelmar. In the same year the church which king
Canute and earl Turkill had built at the hill called Assandun
[Ashdown], was consecrated with great pomp and magnificence in
their presence by Wulstan, archbishop of York, and several other
bishops. Aldhun, bishop of Lindisfarne, dying, that church was
bereaved of pastoral care for nearly three years. At a chapter held
to discuss concerning the election of a bishop, a certain religious
presbyter named Eadmund stood up, and said jokingly, " Why do
you not choose me for bishop ?" Those present did not regard his
joke as if it were simply a jest, but elected him, and after a three
days' fast consulted St. Cuthbert's wishes on that point. W^iile the
presbyter stood at the saint's head singing mass, lo ! in the middle
of the canon, a voice was heard coming as it were from that
father's tomb, and thrice naming Eadmund as bishop.
A.D. 1021. 'On the 16th of the kalends of September [17th
Aug.], P>kenbald, archbishop of Mentz, died, and was succeeded
by Aribo. Just before the feast-day of St. Martin [11th Nov.],
Canute, king of the English and Danes, banished from England
^ " Wulgar, the abbot of Abingdon, that good shepherd, died in the twenty-
eighth year after God's providence had placed him over that church. By the
vigilant care of this alibot, and by God's protecting mercy, the monastery of
Abingdon continued free from the ravages of the Danes, amidst the troubles
Avhich pervaded all the rest of England ; while, in the meantime, the incursions
of the enemies overthrew on the riglit hand and on the left all that came in their
way; or if they acted more mercifully, the inhabitants could redeem themselves
only by the payment of a l;u-gc ransom. He was succeeded in the government
of the monastery by Adelwin, whom king Canute, out of regard to his holy life,
made the depository of his secrets, and endeavoured by his advice to withdraw
himself from what was evil, and to follow what was good. Hence the king loved
the monastery of Abingdon, and loaded it with gifts. For, among other presents,
he caused a casket of silver and gold to be made, in which should be placed the
relics of St. Vincent, deacon and martyr." B. addition.
^ " On the death of Aelmar, bishoj) of SeLsey, Aethelric succeeded." A. addition.
' This first sentence is from JIarianus.
* The first sentence is from Marianus.
A.n. 1031.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF M'ORCESTER. 271
the oft-named earl Turkill, and his wife Edgitha. Algar, bishop
of the East Angles, died, and Aldwin succeeded him.
A.D. 1022. Aethelnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, went to
Rome : pope Benedict [VIII] received him with great honour, and
gave him the pall.
A.D. 1023. 'One day in spring, at the ninth hour, there was an
eclipse of the sun. The body of St. Alpheag, the martyr, was
translated from London to Canterbury. On Tuesday, the 5th of
the kalends of June [28th May], Wulstan, archbishop of York,
died at York ; but his corpse was taken to Ely and buried there.
He was succeeded by Alfric Puttoc, provost of Winchester.
A.D. 1024. ^Pope Benedict died. John became pope, being
the 141st. On the 2d of the ides of July [14th July], the pious
Henry died, and he was buried at Babo's Mount [Bamberg] .
A.D. 1025. Cuonrad [II.] was the 94th emperor of the Romans,
and he reigned fifteen years. The monk Eadmund was appointed
to the bishopric of Lindisfarne.
A.D. 1026. The twenty-seventh cycle of nineteen years began in
the ninth indiction. Alfric, archbishop of York, went to Rome,
and received the pall from pope John [XIX] . Richard, the second
duke of Normandy, died ; and was succeeded by Richard the third,
who died the same year: he was succeeded by his brother Rotbert.
A.D. 1027- News came to Canute, king of the English and
Danes, that the Norwegians held Olaf their king in contempt, on
account of his simplicity and meekness, his justice and piety ; so
he sent much gold and silver to certain of them, and importuned
them to renounce and depose Olaf, and submit themselves to him
[Canute], and sufl'er him to reign over them. They greedily
accepted his presents, and ordered word to be sent back that they
were ready to receive him whenever he chose to come.
A.D. 1028. Canute, king of the English and Danes, went over
with fifty great ships., and drove king Olaf out of Norway, and
subdued it to himself. *In this year was born Marianus the
Hibernian, a renowned Scot, by whose study and diligence this
excellent Chronicle was compiled from divers books.
A.D. 1029. Canute, king of the English, Danes, and Norwegians,
returned to England; and after the feast of St. Martin [11th Nov.],
he banished Hacun, a Danish earl, who had married the noble
lady Gunhilda, daughter of his sister by Wyrtgeorn, king of the
Winidi, sending him away under pretence of an embassy : for he
feared that the said earl would either kill him or deprive him of
the kingdom.
A.D. 1030. Tlie aforesaid earl Hacun died at sea; but some
say that he was slain in the island of Orkney. St. Olaf, king and
martyr, son of Harold, king of the Norwegians, was wickedly slain
in Norway by the natives.
A.D. 1031 . Canute, king of the English, Danes, and Norwegians,
went from Denmark with great state to Rome, and made large
' From Marianus.
2 The whole of this year and the first clause of the followiug are from Marianus.
•■' Also from the same authority.
272 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1031.
offerings of gold, and silver, and other valuables, to St. Peter,
prince of apostles ; and obtained from pope John [XIX.] the
exemption of the School of the English from all toll and tribute.
On his journey there and back he gave great alms to the poor, and
abolished at great pecuniary cost many border barriers, ^vhe^e taxes
used to be extorted from pilgrims. Moreover he vowed to God,
before the sepulchre of the apostles, that he would amend his life
and conversation; and he sent thence to England a memorable
letter by the hands of Living, his companion on the journey, a very
prudent man, who was then abbot of Tavistock, but afterwards, in
the same year, succeeded Eadnoth in the bishopric of Crediton,
and others of his ambassadors ; whilst he returned from Rome the
way he went, visiting Denmark before England. I think it right
to subjoin the text of this letter.
" Canute, king of all England, Denmark, Noricay, and part of
Sweden, to Aethelnoth, metrojwlitan, and Alfric, archbishop of
York, and to all bishops and nobles, and to the whole nation of the
English, high and low, greeting. I notify to you that I have lately
been to Rome, to pray for the forgiveness of my sins, for the
safety of my dominions, and of the people under my government.
I had long since vowed such a journey to God ; but hitherto hindered
by the affairs of my kingdom, and other causes preventing, I was
unable to accomplish it sooner. I now return thanks most humbly
to my Almighty God for suffering me in my lifetime to approacli
the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the holy saints within aufl
without the city of Rome, wherever I could discover them ; and
there present to worship and adore according to my desire. I
have been the more diligent in the performance of this, because
I have learnt from the wise that St. Peter the apostle has received
from God great power in binding and in loosing ; that he carries
the key of the kingdom of heaven ; and consequently I have
judged it matter of special importance to seek his influence with
God. Be it known to you that, at the solemnity of Easter, a great
assembly of nobles was present with pope John and the emperor
Cuonrad, that is to say, all the princes of the nations from Mount
Garganus to the neighbouring sea. All these received me with
honour, and presented me with magnificent gifts. But more
especially was I honoured by the emperor with various gifts and
offerings, in gold and silver vessels, and palls, and costly garments.
Moreover, 1 spoke with the emperor himself, and the sovereign
pope, and the nobles who were there, concerning the wants of all
my people, English as well as Danes — observing that there ought
to be granted to them more equitable regulations and greater secu-
rity on their passage to Rome; that they should not be impeded by
so many barriers on the road, nor harassed with unjust exactions.
The emperor assented to my request, as did Rodolph the king, who
has the chief dominion over those barriers ; and all the princes
confirmed by an edict that my subjects, traders as well as those
who went for a religious purpose, should peaceably go and return
from Rome without any molestation from warders of barriers or
tax-gatherers. Again I complained before the pope, and expressed
A.D. 1031.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 273
my high displeasure that my archbishops were oppressed by the
immense sum of money which is demanded from them, when
seeking according to custom the apostohcal residence to receive
the pall ; and it was determined that it should be so no longer.
Moreover, all thmgs which I requested for the advantage of my
kingdom from the sovereign pope, and the emperor, and king
Rodolph, and the other princes through whose territories our road
to Rome is situated, they have freely granted and confirmed by
oath, under the attestation of four archbishops, twenty bishops, and
an innumerable multitude of dukes and nobles who were present :
wherefore I give most hearty thanks to God Almighty for having
successfully completed all that I had wished in the manner I had
designed, and fully satisfied my intentions.
Be it known, then, that since I have vowed to God Himself hence-
forward to reform my life in all things, and justly and piously to
govern the kingdoms and the people subject to me, and to maintain
equal justice in all things ; and have determined, through God's
assistance, to rectify anything hitherto unjustly done, either through
the intemperance of my youth, or through negligence; therefore I call
to witness and command my counsellors, to whom I have entrusted
the counsels of the kingdom, that they by no means, either through
fear of myself, or favour to any powerful person, suffer henceforth
any injustice, or cause such to obtain in all my kingdom. Moreover,
I command all sheriffs or governors throughout my whole kingdom,
as they tender my affection or their own safety, not to commit
injustice towards any man, rich or poor, but to allow all, noble and
ignoble, alike to enjoy impartial law, from which they are never to
deviate, either on account of royal favour, the person of any
powerful man, or for the sake of amassing money for myself, for I
have no need to accumulate money by unjust exaction.
Be it known to you, therefore, that returning by the same way
that I went, I am now going to Denmark, through the advice of all
the Danes, to make peace and firm treaty with those nations who
were desirous, had it been possible, to deprive me both of life and
of sovereignty : this, however, they were not able to perform ;
God, who by his kindness preserves me in my kingdom and in
my honour, and destroys the power of all my adversaries, bringing
their strength to nought. Moreover, when I have established peace
with the surrounding nations, and put all our sovereignty here in
the east in tranquil order, so that there shall be no fear of war or
enmity on any side, I intend coming to England as early in the
summer as I shall be able to get my fleet prepared. I have sent
this epistle before me, in order that my people might rejoice at my
prosperity ; because, as yourselves know, I have never spared, nor
will I spare, either myself or my pains for the needful service of
my whole people. I now, therefore, command and adjure all my
bishops and governors throughout my kingdom, by the fidelity you
owe to God and me, that you take care that, before I come to
England, all dues to God owing by ancient custom be discharged :
that is to say, plough-alms, the' tenth of animals born in the
current year, and the pence owing to Rome for St. Peter, whether
274 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1032—
from cities or villages ; and in the middle of August, the tenth of the
produce of the earth; and on the festival of St. Martin [11th Nov.],
the first fruits of seeds to the church of the parish where each one
resides, which is called in English ' ciricsceatt.' If these and such
like things be not paid ere I come to England, all who shall have
offended will incur the penalty of a royal mulct, to be exacted
without remission according to law. Farewell."
Aribo, archbishop of Mentz, died on the 6th of April, and was
succeeded by St. Bardo, who received the staff on the holy day of
Pentecost [30th May], and held it for twenty years.
A.D. 1032. In this year the church of St. Eadmund, king and
martyr, was dedicated.
A.D. 1033. Leofsi, bishop of the Hwiccas, a man of great piety
and humility, died on Tuesday, the 19th day of August, at the epi-
scopal vill of Kemesey, and, as we may hope, went to the heavenly
kingdom : his body was honourably buried in the church of
St. Mary at Worcester. Brihteag, abbot of Pershore, son of the
sister of Wulstan, archbishop of York, succeeded him in the see.
A.D. 1034. Aethric, bishop of Lincoln [Dorchester], died, and
was buried in the monastery of Ramsey : Eadnoth succeeded
him. Malcolm, king of the Scots, died.
A.D. 1035. Before his death, Canute, king of the English, made
Sweyn king over the Norwegians. This Sweyn was said to be the
son of Canute and Alfgiva of Northamptonshire, who was a daughter
of Alfhelm the ealdorman, and of the noble lady Wulfruna ; some,
however, asserted that he was not the son of the king and the said
Alfgiva ; but that the said Alfgiva desired to have a son by the
king, and being unable, ordered the new-born child of a certain
presbyter to be brought to her, and fully persuaded the king that
she had borne him a son. He made Hardecanute, his son by
queen Alfgiva, king over the Danes. Afterwards, in the same year,
to wit, on Wednesday, the 1 2th day of November, Canute died at
Shaftesbury, but he was buried in the old monastery at Winchester
with due pomp. After his burial, queen Alfgiva took up her resi-
dence there. Now, Harold said that he was the son of king
Canute and Alfgiva of Northamptonshire, although in truth he
was not ; for some say that he was the son of a cobbler, and that
Alfgiva had acted in the same manner in regard to him as she had
done with regard to Sweyn ; but because the thing is doubtful, we
do not know that we can state anything certain respecting the
parentage of either. Harold then, taking on himself the royal
dignity, sent his guards with all speed to Winchester, and tyranni-
cally deprived queen Alfgiva of the greater part and the best of the
wealth and treasures which king Canute had given to her, and sent
her away in poverty in the place where she had just begun to
reside ; and with the consent of very many of the elders of England,
began to reign as though he was the rightful heir, but not with
such great sway as Canute, because Hardecanute, who was the
truer heir, was then expected. Hence, after a short time, the
kingdom was divided by lot, Harold taking the northern and
Hardecanute the southern portion. Rotbert, duke of Normandy,
A.D. 1037.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 275
died, and was succeeded by William the Bastard, his infant son.
Brun, bishop of Wurtzburg, died.
A.D. 1036. The solar cycle began, four bissextile years coming
together. Piligrin, archbishop of Cologne, instigated by the
speeches of certain envious monks of the monastery of S*. Pan-
taleon, who hated Helias, abbot of the Scots, and also their abbot,
on account of his severity, and the other Scots whom he had
with him, — this archbishop, I say, threatened the said Helias
that on his return from the king's court he would not leave a
Scot, not even him, remaining there. Then Helias and the
rest of the Scots answered, " If Christ is truly a pilgrim in us,
archbishop Piligrin will not return alive to Cologne." And
this the Lord brought to pass, and so Helias presided over two
monasteries.
The innocent ethelings, Alfred and Eadward, sons of Aethelred,
formerly king of the English, quitted Normandy, where they had
remained a long time with their uncle Richard, and with many
Norman knights in their company, crossed over in a few ships to
England for the purpose of holding a conference with their mother,
who was then staying at Winchester. At this some of the great
men were very indignant, being, although improperly so, much
more attached to Harold than to him ; earl Godwin, it is said,
more than any of them. As Alfred was hastening to London to
confer with Harold, as he had commanded, Godwin seized him
and put him in close confinement, dispersed some of his com-
panions, put some in chains, and then deprived them of sight ;
some he scalped and tortured, cut ofi^ their hands and feet, and then
made them pay fines ; many too he ordered to be sold, and slew five
hundred more of them at Guildford by various and cruel deaths.
But we believe that the souls of those whose bodies were so cruelly
and without a cause slain in the fields, are now rejoicing with the
saints in paradise. On hearing of this, queen Alfgiva sent back
in all haste to NoiTnandy her son Eadward who remained with
her. Then by the orders of Godwin and some others, Alfred the
etheling was taken heavily chained to the Isle of Ely. But as soon
as the ship touched the land, his eyes were plucked out on board in
a most barbarous manner, and in this state he was taken to the
monastery, and handed over to the custody of the monks. There
he shortly afterwards died, and his body was buried with due
honours in the south porch at the western end of the church ; but
his spirit is enjoying the delights of paradise.
A.D. 1037. Harold, king of the Mercians and Northumbrians,
was by the chiefs and the whole people chosen king to reign over
all England ; but Hardecanute was wholly passed by, because he
wasted his time in Denmark, and delayed coming to England when
requested so to do. At the commencement of the winter, his
mother, Alfgiva, formerly queen of the English, was driven from
England without pity. She immediately went over to Flanders in
a ship which had been made ready, and was there honourably
received by the noble count Baldwin, who, as became his degree,
took pleasure in supplying her with all things needful as long as she
T 2
276 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1038—
required them. A little before this, in the same year, the very
pious Avic, dean of Eversham, died.
Piligrin, the archbishop, died on Thursday, the 25th day of
August. Herimann was his successor for twenty years. On
Thursday, the 10th of November, in the fifth indiction, St. Bardo,
the archl)ishop, dedicated, in the presence of the emperor Conrad,
St. Martin's monastery, in the archbishopric of Mentz, in honour
of St. Martin, bishop and confessor.
A.D. 1038. Aethelnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, departed
this life on the 29th of October. Seven days afterwards, Ae-
thelric, bishop of South Saxony, died ; for he had prayed to God
that he might not survive his beloved father Aethelnoth. Grim-
ketel succeeded him in the bishopric, and Eadsi, the king's
chaplain, succeeded Aethelnoth in the archbishopric. In the same
year died Alfric, bishop of the East Angles. On Wednesday, the
20th of December, Brihteag, bishop of the Hwiccas, died ; and
king Harold gave his bishopric to Living, bishop of Crediton.
Stigand, the king's chaplain, was made bishop in Alfric's place,
but was afterwards ejected, and Grimketel was chosen in his stead,
and thus had the two dioceses of the South Saxons and the East
Angles. But Stigand was again appointed, and Grimketel ejected :
and Stigand kept the bishopric of the South Saxons for himself, and
procured the bishopric of the East Angles for his brother Agelmar ;
and not satisfied with this, he mounted the episcopal thrones of
Winchester and Canterbury. He earnestly entreated, and very
nearly obtained, that he might be ordained separate bishop of the
South Saxons. Agelmar was succeeded by Arfastus, bishop of
Helmham, who, lest he should seem to have achieved nothing, for
the Normans are most greedy of notoriety with posterity, trans-
ferred the bishopric from Helmham to Thetford.
A.D. 1039. The emperor Conrad died on Wednesday, the 12th
of January, and was buried at Spires. Richard, abbot of Fulda,
died on the 20th of July. Sigeward succeeded him. In this year
there was a veiy hard winter.
Brihtmar, bishop of Litchfield, died ; and was succeeded by
Wulsi. The Welsh slew Eadwin, the brother of earl Leofric,
Turkill and Alfgeat, two of the king's thanes, and many of their
men. Hardecanute, king of the Danes, went to his mother Alfgiva,
in Flanders.
Henry, the 95th emperor of the Romans, son of the emperor
Conrad, [began to reign, and he] reigned twenty-seven years.
A.D. 1040. Harold, king of the English, died at London, and
was buried at Westminster. After his interment, the nobles of
almost every part of England sent ambassadors to Hardecanute,
who was then at Bruges with his mother ; and thinking that they
were doing what was right, rcq\icsted him to come to England and
undertake the government of the kingdom : so he got ready sixty
ships, and filling them with Danish soldiers, came over to England
before midsummer, and was received with universal joy, and soon
afterwards raised to the throne ; but during his reign he did nothing
worthy of his kingly power. For as soon as he began his reign.
A.D. 1041.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 277
recollecting the injuries which both he and his mother had suffered
at the hands of his predecessor king Harold, who was reputed to be
his brother, he sent to London Alfric, archbishop of York, earl
Godwin, Stir, his major-domo, Edric, his treasurer, and Thrond,
his executioner, and others of high station, with orders to dig up
the body of the said Harold and throw it into a sewer ; and after-
wards to take it out and fling it into the river Thames. A short
time afterwards it was picked up by a fisherman, and, being
immediately taken to the Danes, was honourably buried by
them in their cemetery at London. After these things he ordered
that all England should pay eight marks to every rower in his
fleet, and twelve marks to every helmsman ; this was so heavy a
tax that scarcely any one could pay it. So he became thoroughly
hated by all those who had previously been most anxious for his
coming. Moreover he was highly incensed against earl Godwin
and Living, bishop of Worcester, for the death of his brother
Alfred ; Alfric, archbishop of York, and certain others having
charged it on them. Wherefore he took the bishopric of Wor-
cester from Living, and gave it to Alfric ; but in the following year
he took it from Alfric, and kindly restored it to Living, who had
appeased him. But Godwin, in order to purchase the king's
friendship, gave to him an exquisitely wrought galley, with a gilded
prow, well fitted with all warlike stores, and manned with eighty
chosen soldiers, splendidly armed. Every one had on each arm a
golden bracelet, weighing sixteen ounces, and wore a triple coat of
mail and a helmet partly gilt, and a sword with gilded hilt, having
a Danish battle-axe adorned with silver and gold hanging from his
left shoulder ; whilst in his left hand he held a shield, the nails and
boss whereof were also gilded, and in the right hand a lance, in
the Enghsh tongue called " ategar." And besides this, in com-
pany with nearly all the chief men and thanes in England, he made
oath to the king that it was not by his counsel or desire that the
king's brother had been deprived of his eyes, but that he had only
obeyed the commands of king Harold his master.
A.D. 1041. This year Hardecanute, king of the English, sent
his house-carls over all the kingdom to collect the tribute which he
had imposed. But the citizens of Worcester and the Worcester-
shire men rose in rebellion, and on Monday, the 4th of May, slew
two of them, named Feader and Turstan, who had hidden them-
selves under the roof of one of the towers of the monastery of that
city. This enraged the king, and to avenge their deaths he sent
Thurum, earl of the Middle Angles, Leofric, earl of the Mercians,
Godwin, earl of the West Saxons, Siward, earl of the Northum-
brians, Roni, earl of the Magesetas [men of Herefordshire], and
all the other English earls, and almost all his house-carls, to Wor-
cester, where Alfric was still bishop, with orders to slay all the
inhabitants if they could, to plunder and burn the city, and lay
waste the country round about. On the 12th of November they
began to lay waste the city and province, and continued [the work
of destruction] for four days ; but very few of the citizens or pro-
vincials were taken prisoners or slain, because having received
278 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1042—
advice of their coming, the people fled in all directions. A great
number of the citizens fled to a little island called Beverege, in the
middle of the river Severn, which they fortified, and defended them-
selves against the enemy so long and stoutly, that they obtained
terms of peace and were permitted to return quietly home. But on
the fifth day the enemy burned the city, and they all returned
home with great booty, and then the king's anger was appeased.
Shortly afterwards Eadward, son of Aethelred, formerly king of the
English, came over to England from Normandy, where he had
been an exile for many years, and being honourably received by his
brother, king Hardecanute, took up his abode at court.
A.D. 1042. Hardecanute, king of the English, while standing at
the wedding-feast, given at a place called Lamhithe, by Osgod
Clapa, a great lord, on the occasion of the joyful marriage of his
daughter Githa with Tovi, surnamed Pruda, a Danish nobleman,
and drinking full of health and mirth with the bride and the guests,
suddenly fell down in the act of drinking, and remained speechless
until the 8th day of June, when he died. He was carried to Win-
chester, and buried by the side of his father, king Canute. His
brother Eadward was proclaimed king at London, chiefly by the
exertions of earl Godwin and Living, bishop of Worcester. He
was the son of Aethelred, whose father was Eadgar, whose father
was Eadmund, whose father was Eadward the elder, whose father
was Alfred.
Abbot Helias, a Scot, died on the 12th of April ; being a prudent
and pious man, he was made ruler over the monastery of St. Pan-
taleon, in addition to his own of St. Martin. He burned in the
monastery of St. Pantaleon a very splendid mass-book, which a
French monk had, without permission, written in the vulgar tongue,
in order that no one else should dare to do such a tiling without
leave. The holy Maiolus, a Scot, succeeded him.
A.D. 1043. On the first day of Easter, being the 3d of April,
Eadward was crowned king at Winchester, by Edsi, archbishop of
Canterbury, Alfric, archbishop of York, and nearly all the bishops
of England. In the same year, fourteen days before the feast-day
of St. Andrew the apostle [16th Nov.], the king went suddenly
and unexpectedly from the city of Gloucester to Winchester, ac-
companied by earls Leofric, Godwin, and Siward, and by their
advice took from his mother all the gold, silver, jewels, precious
stones, and other valuables which she possessed ; because she had
treated him with parsimony and severity, as well before he became
king as after. Nevertheless, he ordered her to live there quietly,
and had her well supplied with necessaries.
Animchad the Scot, monk and hermit, died at Fulda ; and lights
were seen, and psalmody was heard, above his tomb. Marianus,
the author of this chronicle, dwelt as a hermit at his feet for ten
years, and sang mass over his sepulchre. He gives the following
account of the aforesaid Animchad. " Being in Ireland," says he,
" in an island called Keltra, he entertained some brethren who one
day came there, his superior, named Kortram, having given per-
mission. After the meal was ended some went their wav, but
A.D. 1045.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 279
those who remained, after warming themselves at the fire, sat down
and asked him for something to drink. He dedined to do so without
permission ; but they pressed him very hard, and at length he con-
sented ; but before giving it he sent some of the beverage to his
superior, as a blessing. On the morrow, when his superior asked
him his reason for sending the draught, he related all the circum-
stances : for this slight fault the superior ordered him to quit Ire-
land. He obeyed submissively ; and, going to Fulda, lived as a
holy hermit, and died as I have before mentioned. Tigernach, my
superior, related these things to me, on the occasion of my com-
mitting some slight fault in his presence. I myself, when a hermit in
Fulda, heard a most pious monk of that monastery, named William,
entreat the aforesaid Animchad, who was then in his tomb, to give
him his benediction ; and he afterwards assured me that the same
night he really saw Animchad standing in his sepulchre, shining
with exceeding splendour, and giving his benediction with out-
stretched hand : and I also passed the whole of that night in the
midst of a delicious odour." These are the words of Marianus.
A.D. 1044. Benedict was pope, being the 142d. He bought the
papacy; so the emperor Henry went to Rome, and appointed Cle-
ment to be pope in his stead : for, according to St. Peter's own words
[Acts viii. 20], he who buys and he who sells the grace of the Spirit,
are to be cursed, in company with Simon IVlagus. Aelfward, bishop
of London, who was abbot of the monastery of Evesham both before
and after he was bishop, being unable, by reason of his infirmities,
to fulfil properly the duties of his bishopric, was desirous of
returning to Evesham : but the brethren of that place would by no
means allow it. So he took away the greater part of the books
and ornaments which he had brought to that place, and, as it is
said, some which other persons had brought ; he then withdrew to
the monastery of Ramsey, and took up his abode there, offering all
that he had brought with him to St. Benedict ; he died on Wed-
nesday, the 25th of July in this year, and was buried there. At a
general council which was held about that time in London, Wul-
mar, also called IVIanni, a religious monk of Evesham, was elected
abbot of his monastery, and was ordained on Friday, the 10th of
August. In the same year the noble lady Gunilda, daughter of
king Wurtgeorn, by the sister of king Canute, and successively the
widow of earls Hacun and Harold, was expelled from England, with
her two sons. Hemming and Thurkill. She went over to Flanders,
and resided for a short time at a place called Bruges ; and by that
route got into Denmark. Stigand, the king's chaplain, was made
bishop of East Anglia,
A.D. 1045. The twenty- eighth cycle of nineteen years began in the
thirteenth indiction. Brihtwold, bishop of Wilton, died ; and was
succeeded by the king's chaplain, Heremann, a native of Lorraine.
In this year Eadward, king of the English, collected a very power-
ful fleet, at the port of Sandwich, to oppose Magnus, king of the
Norwegians, who was meditating an invasion of England; but
whose coming was stayed by Sweyn, king of the Danes, making war
against him.
280 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 104G—
A.D. 1046. Clement was pope, being the 143d. Living, of the
Hwiccas, bishop of Devonshire and of Cornwall, died, on Sunday
tiie 23d day of March. After his death, the bishoprics of Crediton
and Cornwall were given to Leofric, the king's chancellor, a Welsh-
man : and Aldred, who had been first a monk at Winchester, and
then abbot of Tavistock, was made bishop of the Hwiccas. Osgod
Clapa was expelled from England. Magnus, king of the Nor-
wegians, son of the saintly king Olaf, routed Sweyn, king of the
Danes, and subdued Denmark to himself.
A.D. 1047. Pope Clement died, on the 9th day of October.
Poppo, also called Damasus, was the 144th pope. So much snow
fell in the west, that the woods were broken down by it : and in
this year, too, the winter was very severe. Grimkitel, bishop of
South Saxony, died, and was succeeded by Heca, the king's chap-
lain. Alfwin, bishop of Winchester, also died, and Stigand was
appointed to the East -Anglian see in his place. Sweyn, king of
the Danes, sent his ambassadors to Eadward, king of the English,
requesting him to send his fleet against Magnus, king of the Nor-
wegians. Then earl Godwin advised the king that lie should send
at least fifty ships, manned with soldiers ; but this meeting with the
disapproval of earl Leofric and all the people, he declined to send
any. Afterwards Magnus, king of the Norwegians, having got
together a large and strong fleet, fought a battle with Sweyn, antl
after many thousands had fallen on both sides, expelled him from
Denmark, and subsequently reigned there, and made the Danes pay
heavy tribute to him : shortly afterwards he died.
A.D. 1048. Pope Poppo died. Sweyn recovered Denmark,
and Harold Harvager, who was son of Siward, king of the Nor-
wegians, and brother by the mother's side to St. Olaf, and uncle
by the father's side to king Magnus, went over again to Norway ;
and shortly afterwards sent ambassadors to king Eadward, making
(afters of peace and friendship, which were accepted. Sweyn, king
of the Danes, also sent ambassadors to him, requesting him to
despatch a fleet to his assistance. But although earl Godwin
wished to send at least fifty ships, earl Leofric and all the people
unanimously opposed him. On Sunday, the 1st of May, there was
a great earthquake at Worcester, Wic, Derby, and many other
places. There was a mortality among men and cattle in many
parts of England : and a fire in the air, commonly called wild -fire,
burned many vills and corn-fields in Derbyshire, and several other
provinces. Eadmund, bishop of Lindisfarne, died at Gloucester,
hut was cai'ried by his own people to Durham, and buried there.
Kdred succeeded liim ; but being struck down by divine vengeance,
Acgelric, a monk of Bury, was appointed in his stead. .
A.D. 1049. Leo was pope, being the 14r)th. This was that Leo
who invented a new hymn respecting pope Gregory. The emperor
Henry assembled an innumerable army against Baldwin, count of
Flanders, chiefly because he had burned and destroyed his beautiful
palace at Neomagus [Nimeguen in Gueldres]. In this expedition
were pope Leo, and veiy many nobles and powerful men from
different countries. Moreover Sweyn, king of tlic Danes, was
A.D. 1049.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 281
there, at the emperor's bidding, with his fleet, and swore fealty, for
that occasion, to the emperor. He sent also to Eadward, king of
the English, and requested him not to let Baldwin escape if he
should retreat to sea. In consequence, the king went with a great
fleet to the port of Sandwich, and remained there until the emperor
had obtained from Baldwin all he desired. Meanwhile earl Sweyn,
son of earl Godwin and of Githa, who had quitted England and
gone over to Denmark, because he was not able to many Eadgiva,
abbess of the monastery of Leominster, whom he had corrupted,
returned with eight ships, saying falsely that he would now remain
with the king as a faithful subject. Earl Beorn, son of his uncle
Ulf, the Danish earl, who was the son of Spracling, who was the son
of Urse, and brother of Sweyn, king of the Danes, promised him to
obtain from the king the restoration of his earldom. Count Bald-
win having made peace with the emperor, earls Godwin and Beorn
came, with the king's permission, to Pevensey, with forty-two ships ;
and keeping a few ships with him, he ordered the rest of the
fleet to return home. When it was told him that Osgod Clapa was
lying with twenty-nine ships at Ulpe, he recalled as many as pos-
sible of the ships which he had dismissed. But Osgod, taking with
him his wife, whom he had left at Bruges, returned with six ships
to Denmark. But some of them went to East Saxony, and returned,
having taken great spoil about Eadulf 's promontory : however, a
great storm overtook them on their return, and sunk them all except
two, which were taken at sea, and all on board were slain. While
these things were going on, earl Sweyn came to Pevensey, and
treacherously asked his cousin, earl Beorn, to go with him to the
port of Sandwich, and make his peace with the king, as he had
promised. Beorn, relying on his relationship, took only three
companions with him, and set out with his cousin ; but the latter
took him to Bosanham, where his ships were stationed, and taking
him into one, ordered him to be strongly fettered, and carried him
with him as far as the mouth of the river Dart. There, having
slain him, and thrown him into a deep trench, and covered him
with earth, they dismissed the six ships. The men of Hastings,
shortly afterwards, captured two of them ; and, having slain all on
board, took them to Sandwich and presented them to the king.
Sweyn, however, fled to Flanders with two ships, and remained
there until he was brought back by Aldred, bishop of Worcester,
who set him at peace with the king.
In the month of August in the same year, some Irish pirates
with thirty-six ships entered the mouth of the river Severn, and
landed at a place called Wylesceaxan, and in unison with Griffin,
king of the South Britons, plundered the neighbourhood and did
considerable damage. Then the king and they joined their forces,
and crossing the river called Weage, burned Dymedham, and put
to death every one whom they found therein. They were quickly
opposed by Aldred, bishop of Worcester, and a few of the natives
of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. But the Welsh who were
with them, and who had promised to be faithful to them, sent a
messenger privately to king Griffin, requesting him to attack the
282 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1050—
English as quickly as possible. Griffin flew to their assistance with
his own men and the Irish pirates, and rushing at day-break on the
English, slew many of them, and put the rest to flight. Eadnoth,
bishop of Dorchester, died, and Ulf, the king's chaplain, a Norman
by birth, succeeded him. Oswi, abbot of Thorney, and Wulnoth,
abbot of Westminster, died. Siward too died, who was co-bishop
with Eadsi, archbishop of Canterbury, and he was buried at
Abingdon. Moreover, in this year the holy pope Leo came to
France, at the request of the very pious abbot, Heriraar, having
among his attendants the prefect and some of the nobles of Rome :
and he dedicated, with great pomp, the monastery of St. Remi,
the apostle of the Franks, at Rheims ; in which city he afterwards
held a great synod of six days' duration, composed of archbishops,
bishops, and abbots. To this synod Eadward, king of the English,
sent Alfwin, abbot of Ramsey, and the abbot of St. Augustine's
monastery.
A.D. 1050. Macbaethad, king of the Scots, gave largess at
Rome. Eadsi, archbishop of Canterbury, died ; and Rotbert,
bishop of London, a Norman by birth, succeeded him. Spearheafoc,
abbot of Abingdon, was appointed to the bishopric of London:
but before he was consecrated, he was expelled by king Edward.
Heremann, bishop of Wilton, and Aldred, bishop of Worcester,
went to Rome.
A.D. 105L Alfric, archbishop of York, died at Southwell, and
was buried at Medhamstead ; Kinsig, the king's chaplain, succeeded
him. King Eadward released the English from their heavy tax in
the thirty-eighth year after his father, Aethelred, had ordered it to
be paid to the Danish soldiers. After these things, in the month
of September, Eustace the elder, the earl of Boulogne, who had
married Goda, a sister of king Eadward, came with a small fleet to
Dover. His soldiers, while inquiring for lodging in a stupid and
uncivil manner, slew one of the citizens. One of his fellow-citizens
seeing this, avenged him by slaying one soldier. The earl and his
men were very wroth at this, and slew many men and women with
their weapons, and trampled down their babes and children under
the horses' feet. But when they saw the citizens coming out to
oppose them, they began to flee in a cowardly manner : seven of
their number were slain, and the rest escaped with difficulty, and
betook themselves to king Eadward, who was then staying at
Gloucester. Indignant and excessively wroth that such transactions
should occur in his jurisdiction, earl Godwin collected an innumer-
able army from his earldom, namely, from Kent, South Saxony,
and West Saxony: his eldest son, Swayne, did the same in his,
namely, in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset-
shire, and Berkshire : and his other son, Harold, collected another
from his earldom, namely. East Saxony, East Anglia, Huntingdon-
shire, and Cambridgeshire. Of this king Eadward was aware ; so
sending messengers in haste to Leofric, earl of the Mercians, and
Siward, earl of the Northumbrians, he entreated them, that, inas-
much as he stood in great danger, they would come quickly to him
with all the men whom they could collect. At first they came
A.D. 1051.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 283
with only a few men, but finding what the state of aftairs was, they
sent swift horsemen through their territories, and assembled a
large army. Likewise, earl Ralph, son of Goda, daughter of king
Eadward, assembled as many men as he was able from his territory.
Meanwhile, Godwin and his sons and their respective armies came
to Gloucestershire after the feast of St. Mary's Nativity, encamped
at a place called Langetreo [Langtree] , and sent ambassadors to the
king at Gloucester, threatening war unless he gave up earl Eustace
and his companions, and also the Normans and Bolognese who
held a castle in DoverclifF. Thereat the king was for a time
alarmed and in great distress, not knowing in the least what to do.
But when he found that the army of earls Leofric, Siward, and
Ralph was coming on, he stoutly replied that he would not in any
way deliver up Eustace and the rest who were demanded. Hearing
this, the ambassadors returned without having attained their object.
On their departure the army entered Gloucester, so excited and
unanimously anxious for the fight, that if the king would have
permitted they would immediately have attacked earl Godwin's
army. But seeing that there were some of the best men in all
England in his army and in theirs, earl Leofric and some others
thought that it was a great piece of foolishness that they should
fight with their own countrymen ; and advised that each side
should give hostages, and that on a certain day the king and
Godwin should have a meeting in London to arrange matters.
This suggestion was approved, messengers from either side went
to and fro, and, hostages having been exchanged, the earl went
into West Saxony ; and the king assembled a larger army out of
all Mercia and Northumbria, and took it with him to London.
Godwin and his sons came to Soutliwark with a great host of West
Saxons, but by reason of his army deserting him little by little, he
dared not keep his appointment with the king, and fled in the
night. In consequence, when the morning came, the king in
council and the whole army with one accord banished him and his
five sons. Straightway, he, and his wife Githa, and Tosti, with his
wife Juthita, who was the daughter of Baldwin, count of Flanders,
and two of his other sons, namely, Sweyn and Gurth, went to
Thorney, where his ship lay ready for them. They speedily laded
her with as much gold, silver and other valuables as she could
carry, and embarking in great haste, went their way to Baldwin,
count of Flanders. But his sons Harold and Leofwin, going to
Bricgstow [Bristol], went on board a ship which their brother
Sweyn had got ready for them, and sailed over to Ireland. The
king repudiated his queen Edgitha on account of his wrath against
her father, Godwin, and sent her veiy disrespectfully with only one
female attendant on foot to Hwerewealla [Wherwell], and delivered
her to the custody of the abbess there. After these things, earl
William, the Norman, came to England with a host of North-men :
king Eadward entertained him and his companions honourably, and
sent them back to Normandy laden with presents. In the same
year, William, the king's chaplain, succeeded to the bishopric of
London, which had been formerly given to Spearheavoc. St. Bardo,
284 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1052 —
archbishop of Mentz, died, on the 10th of June, and was succeeded
by Liupold.
A.D. 1052. Marianus, the chronographer, retired from this hfe.
Ahgiva Emma, wife of the kings Aethehed and Canute, died at
Winchester on the sixth day of March, and was buried there. In
the same year Griffin, king of the Welsh, laid waste great part of
Herefordshire, the natives whereof, and many Normans from a
castle, went up against him ; but he got the victory, slaying many
of them and carrying off great booty. This battle was fought on
the thirteenth anniversary of the day when the Welsh slew in
ambush Eadwin, the brother of earl Leofric. A short time after
this, earl Harold and his brother Leofwin returned from Ireland,
and entering the mouth of the river Severn, landed on the confines
of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire, and plundered the vills and
many fields in those parts. A great host from Devonshire and
Somersetshire went up against them; but Harold got the victory
over them, slaying more than thirty noble thanes and a great
number of other men. Then he returned to his fleet with the
booty, and shortly afterwards sailed round Penwithsteort [Lands-
End]. Then king Eadward sent in haste to the port of Sandwich
forty ships well found in provisions, and manned with picked
soldiers, with orders to wait and watch for the arrival of earl
Godwin ; but nevertheless he returned with a small fleet, and
wholly unobserved landed in Kent, and by means of his secret
emissaries, first won over to his side the men of Kent, then the
South Saxons, East Saxons, the men of Surrey, and the shipmen
of Hastings, and all along the sea-coast, and numbers beside; who
all with one voice declared that they were ready to live or die with
him. The king's fleet which lay in the port of Sandwich hearing
this, pursued him, but he took to flight and concealed himself
wherever he could; so the fleet sailed back to Sandwich, and
thence returned to London. When earl Godwin found this out,
he crossed over to the Isle of Wight, and kept wandering up and
down the sea-coast until his sons Harold and Leofwin joined him
with their fleet; but after their junction they left ofl" their plun-
derings and devastations, confining themselves to getting provisions
for their army when they required it. After inveigling over to
their assistance as many men as they could on the sea-coast and
other places, and taking all the shipmen they met in every
direction, they framed their course towards the port of Sandwicii.
Having arrived there, they notified the fact to king Eadward, who
was then staying at London. Thereupon he quickly sent out his
messengers to command all who had not deserted from him to
make speed and come and help him. But they were very tardy
in their movements and did not come in time. Meanwhile earl
Godwin with his fleet, having sailed up the Thames against the
tide, arrived at Southwark on the day of the exaltation of the holy
Cross [14th Sept.], being a Monday, and waited tliere until the
flood-tide came up : during which time he had meetings with tiie
citizens of London (whom lie had previously allured with promises
of various kinds), in part by his emissaries and in part personally.
A.D. 1053.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 285
and brought over nearly all of them to his own views. So every-
thing being arranged and set in order, on the tide coming up they
weighed anchor in haste, and meeting with no opposition at the
bridge, sailed up the river along the southern bank. The land
army also arrived, and putting itself in array along the bank of the
river, showed a close and imposing front. Then the fleet made for
the northern bank, as though for the purpose of enclosing the
king's fleet (for the king too had a fleet and a numerous land army) ;
but inasmuch as there were very few men of any bravery, whether
with the king or with Godwin, who were not Englishmen, nearly
all were very averse from fighting against their kinsmen and
countrymen. This circumstance enabled the wiser sort on both
sides to effect a peace between the king and the earl, and both
disbanded their armies. The next morning the king held a council
and fully restored Godwin, and his wife, and all his sons, except
Sweyn, to their former honours ; for Sweyn, led by repentance for
having (as before mentioned) slain his cousin Beorn, was gone
from Flanders barefoot as far as Jerusalem, and in his return home-
ward died in Lycia of a disease contracted through extreme cold.
The king also took back again with honour queen Eadgitha, the
earl's daughter, and restored her to her former dignity. A firm
concord and peace being thus concluded, they [the king and the
earl] promised right law [i.e. justice] to all people, and banished all
those Normans who had introduced unjust laws, and given false
judgments, and committed many outrages upon the English ; but
they allowed some of them to remain in England, namely Robert
the Deacon, and Richard Fitz-Scrob, his son-in-law, Alfred, the
king's horse-thane, Anfrid, surnamed Cocksfoot, and some others
who had been the king's greatest favourites, and always faithful to
him and all the people. But Rodbert, archbishop of Canterbur}^
and William, bishop of London, and Ulf, bishop of Lincoln [Dor-
chester], with their Normans, barely managed to escape, and
crossed beyond sea. William, however, being a good-natured man,
was recalled in a short time, and again received into his bishopric.
Osbern, surnamed Pentecost, and his companion Hugh, surren-
dered their castles, and, by the licence of earl Leofric passing
through his earldom, went into Scotland, and were there kindly re-
ceived by Macbeoth, king of the Scots. In the same year, during
the night of the feast-day of St. Thomas the apostle [21st Dec],
the wind was so violent that it blew down many churches and
houses, shattered many trees, and tore others up by the roots.
A.D. 1053. Res, the brother of Grifiin, king of the South
Welsh, was, on account of his frequent incursions, put to death by
order of king Eadward at a place called Bulendun ; and on the vigil
of our Lord's Epiphany [5th Jan.] his head was brought to the king
at Gloucester. In the same year, on Easter IVTonday [12th April],
which was being celebrated at Winchester, the hand of death came
on earl Godwin as he was sitting at table with the king as usual ;
for being suddenly seized with a violent distemper he fell speech-
less from his seat. When his sons earl Harold, Tosti, and Gyrth
saw it, they carried him into the king's chamber, in the hope that
286 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1054—
he would shortly recover; but losing his strength, he died in great
agony five days afterwards, and was buried in the Old Monastery.
His son Harold succeeded to his earldom ; and Harold's earldom
was given to Algar, the son of earl Leofric. In the month of
October died Wulsi, bishop of Lichfield, Godwin, abbot of Win-
chelcombe, and Agelward, abbot of Glastonbury. Leofwin, abbot
of Coventry, succeeded Wulsi, and Aegelnoth, a monk of the same
monastery, succeeded Agelward. But Aldred, bishop of Worcester,
kept the abbacy of Winchelcombe in his own hands until such
time as he appointed Godric, the son of Godman the king's
chaplain, to be abbot thereof. Alfric, brother of earl Odda, died
at Deorhirste on the 11th of the kalends of January [22d Dec.];
but he was buried at Pershore.
' Aedd, a clerk with a beard in Ireland, was a man of great
renown and of exemplary piety ; he had a large school of clerks,
maidens, and laymen, and made the maidens receive the tonsure
in the same manner as the clerks ; on which account he was
expelled from Ireland.
A.D. 1054. 'Pope Leo died on the 16th of the kalends of May
[16th April]. Siward, the valiant earl of the Northumbrians, by
the king's command, marched into Scotland accompanied by an
army of cavalry and a powerful fleet, and fought a battle with
Macbeoth, king of the Scots ; after slaying many thousands of the
Scots and all the Normans whom we mentioned before, he put
him to flight, and as the king had directed, elevated to the throne
Malcolm, son of the king of the Cumbrians. However, his own
son and many English and Danes fell in that battle.
In the same year, on the feast-day of St. Kenelm the martyr
[17th July], Aldred, bishop of Worcester, appointed Godric to be
abbot of Winchelcombe ; he was then sent as ambassador to the
emperor with great presents; and being received with great honour
by him, and also by Herimann, archbishop of Cologne, he remained
there for a whole year ; and on tlic king's behalf he prompted the
emperor to send ambassadors into Hungaiy to bring back Eadward
the king's cousin, son of king Eadmund Ironside, and send to liim
into England.
A.D. 1055. Wictor was pope, being the 146th. Siward, carl
of the Northumbrians, died at York, and was buried in the
monastery of Galmanho which he had built : his earldom was
given to Tosti, brother of earl Harold. Shortly afterwards king
Eadward summoned a council at London, and outlawed earl
Algar, son of earl Leofric, although he had committed no crime.
Algar presently went over to Ireland, and returning with eighteen
pirate ships, went to Griffin, king of the Welsh, and requested
his assistance against king Eadward. Griffin immediately col-
lected from every part of his kingdom a numerous army, and
commanded Algar to meet him and his armv at an appointed
place with his own forces. Having met, they entered Hercford-
' The following passage in from Marianus.
2 The first seuteuce is from Mariauiis.
' This first notice is also from Mariauus.
A.D. 1056.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 287
shire, with intent to lay waste the Enghsh marches. The cowardly
earl Radulph, son of king Eadward's sister [GodaJ, assembled an
army against them, and falling in with them on the 9th of the
kalends of November [24th Oct.], two miles from the city of Wor-
cester, ordered the English, contrary to their custom, to fight on
horseback. But just as they were about to join battle, the earl
with his Frenchmen and Normans set the example of flight : the
English seeing this, fled with their commander : and nearly the
whole body of the enemy pursued them, slew four or live hundred
of them, and wounded a great number. The victory being thus
obtained, king Griffin and earl Algar entered Hereford, and
having slain seven canons who defended the doors of the principal
church, and burned the monastery which Aethelstan, that true
servant of God and worshipper of Christ, had built, together with
all its ornaments, and the reliques of St. Aethelbriht, king and
martyr, and other saints, and having slain several of the citizens
and taken captive many others, and moreover pillaged and burned
the city, they returned laden with spoil. When the king was
informed of this, he ordered an army to be raised from all parts of
England ; and having marshalled it at Gloucester, placed it under
the command of the valiant earl Harold, who, readily obeying the
king's orders, quickly pursued Griffin and Algar, and boldly entering
the Welsh borders encamped beyond Straddele; but they, knowing
him to be a brave and warlike man, dared not risk a battle, but
retreated into South Wales. On discovering this, Harold left
there the greater part of his army with orders to manfully repel the
enemy if circumstances should require ; and returning with the
remainder to Hereford, encircled it with a broad and deep ditch,
and fortified it with gates and bars. Meanwhile messengers crossed
to and fro between the parties, and Griffin, Algar, and Harold,
and their attendants, met at a place called Biligesleagea, and peace
being mutually agreed upon, they determined to become firm
friends ; whereupon earl Algar's fleet sailed to Chester and waited
there to receive the pay which he had promised to them ; but the
earl went to the king, and received his earldom from him. At
that time Tremerin, the pious Welsh bishop, died ; he was for a
long time vicar of Aethelstan, bishop of Hereford, after the latter
became incapable of performing his episcopal duties, for he was
blind for thirteen years. Heremann, bishop of Wiltshire, taking
offence that the king would not allow him to transfer the episcopal
see from the town of Ramsbury to the abbey of Malmesbury, re-
signed his bishopric, and going beyond sea, became a monk at
St. Bertin, and remained in the monastery there for three years.
A.D. 1056. Aethelstan, bishop of Hereford, a man of great
sanctity, died on the 4th of the ides of February [10th Feb.],
at an episcopal vill called Bosanbirig ; his body was carried to
Hereford, and buried in the church which he himself had built
from the foundation. He was succeeded by Leovegar, earl Harold's
chaplain, who, on the 16th of the kalends of June [16th June] in
the same year was, together with his clerks, and sheriff Agelnoth,
and many others, slain by Griffin, king of the Welsh, at a place
288 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1057—
called Clastbirig, after having held the bishopric for ^eleven weeks
and four days. On his death, the bishopric of Hereford was
committed to Aldred, bishop of Worcester, until a bishop could be
appointed : this same bishop Aldred afterwards, in conjunction
with earls Leofric and Harold, mediated a peace between king
Eadward and Grifhn, king of the Welsh. ^ Herimann, archbishop
of Cologne, died, and was succeeded by Anno. Marianus, setting
out on a pilgrimage to his heavenly countiy, came to Cologne, and
on Thursday, the kalends of August [1st Aug.], became a monk
there in the monastery of the Scots dedicated to St. Martin. Earl
Agelwin, (that is, Odda/) the cherisher of churches, the entertainer
of the poor, the defender of widows and orphans, the overthrower
of tyrants, the guardian of virginity, died on the 2d of the kcdends
of September [31st Aug.], at Deorhyrste, having been made a
monk shortly before his death by Aldred, bishop of Worcester ;
but he was buried in the monastery of Pershore with great cere-
mony. Agelric, bishop of Durham, voluntarily resigned his bishopric,
and retired to his monastery of Peterborough, where he had been
brought up and made a monk, and passed twelve years there. His
brother Agelwin, a monk of the same monaster}', succeeded him
in the bishopric.
^The emperor Henry died on the 3d of the nones of October
[5th Oct.], and was buried at Spires, where his father had been
liuried. Hemy, the 96th emperor of the Romans, son of the last
Henry, reigned fifty years.
A.D. 1057. Pope Victor died on the 5th of the kalends of
August [28th July]. Eadward the etheling, son of king Eadmund
Ironside, in obedience to the commands of his micle, king Eadward,
returned to England from Hungary, where, as we have before
mentioned, he had been sent into exile long previously. For the
king had determined to make him heir to the kingdom : but he
died at London shortly after his arrival. Earl Leofric (son of earl
Leofwin) of blessed memory, and worthy of all praise, died in a
good old age, at his own vill of Bromley, on the 2d of the kalends
of September [31st Aug.], and was buried with great state at
Coventry. Among his other good deeds in this life, he and his
wife, the noble countess Godgiva, (who was a devout worshipj^er of
God, and one who loved the ever-virgin St. Mary,) entirely con-
structed at their own cost the monasteiy there, well endowed it
with land, and enriched it with ornaments to such an extent, that
no monastery could be then found in England possessing so much
gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones. Moreover, the monas-
teries of Leominster and Wenlock, and the monasteries of St. John
the Baptist and St. Werburg the Virgin at Chester, and the church
which Eadnoth, bishop of Lincoln [Dorchester], [had built] at a
celebrated place, called in English St. Mary's Stow, but in Latin
' This is the reading of A. and B. ; the old editions read " twelve."
^ This and the following .sentence arc from Marianus.
^ These three words are introduced in B. between the lines.
* Thi.9 passage is derived from Marianus, as is also the first sentence under the
year 1057.
A.D. 1059.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER, 289
St. Mary's Place, were by them enriched with many vahiable
ornaments. They also endowed the monastery of Worcester with
lands, and added to the buildings of that of Evesham, and gave to
it divers ornaments and lands. As long as he lived, this earl's
wisdom stood the kings and people of England in good stead. His
earldom was given to his son Algar. Heca, bishop of the South
Saxons, died, and Agelric, a monk of Christ's Church in Canter-
bury, was elected in his place. The before-mentioned earl Radulph
died on the 12th of the kalends of January [21st Dec], and was
buried in the abbey of Peterborough.
A.D. 1058. 'Stephen, abbot of Monte Cassino, was pope, being
the 147th. On the Saturday before Palm Sunday [10th April],
the city of Paderborn, and two monasteries, namely, that of the
bishop and that of the monks, were destroyed by fire. In the
monastery of monks there was a monk named Paternus, a Scottish
anchorite of many years' standing ; he had predicted the confla-
gration, yet would by no means leave the place, but was burned in
his cell, and through these tiames he passed to the cool shades of
bHss : and some wonderful things are told concerning the spot
where he died. " Immediately after this occurrence, on Monday
after the octaves of Easter [27th April], as I was leaving Cologne
for Fulda, in company with the abbot of Fulda, for the purpose
of entering my cell, I prayed on the mat whereon he was burned."
Thus saith Marianus, the Scottish anchorite.
Algar, earl of the Mercians, was a second time outlawed by king
Eadward ; but assisted by Griffin, king of the Welsh, and supported
by the Norwegian fleet, which came to him unexpectedly, he soon
recovered his earldom by force. -On the 30th of March, pope
Stephen died : he was succeeded by Benedict, who sent the pall
to Stigand, archbishop of Canterbuiy. Agelric was ordained
bishop of the South Saxons ; and abbot Siward was consecrated
bishop of Rochester. Aldred, bishop of Worcester, dedicated the
church which he had built from the foundation in the city of
Gloucester, with great ceremony, to Peter, prince of the apostles ;
and afterwards, with the king's permission, appointed Wulstan, a
monk of Worcester of his own ordination, to be abbot thereof.
Then, having resigned the bishopric of Wilton, which had been
committed to his governance, and restored it to Herimann, whom
we have mentioned before, he crossed the sea, and journeyed to
Jerusalem by way of Hungary ; a thing which no English arch-
bishop or bishop was known to have done before,
A.D. 1059. Nicholas, bishop of Florence, was chosen pope, and
Benedict was ejected. 'On Saturday in Mid-lent, being the
3d of the ides of March [13th March], Marianus the anchorite,
in company with Sigefrid, abbot of Fulda, was consecrated priest
beside the corpse of St. Kilian, at Wurtzburg ; and on Friday after
our Lord's Ascension, being the 2d of the ides of May [14th May],
he entered his cell in Fulda for ten years. Liupold, archbishop of
» Marianus has supplied the whole of the narrative under this year.
2 The passage ending with the word " Benedict" is from Marianus.
3 The remainder of the year is from Marianus.
VOL. II. U
290 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. lOGO—
Mentz, died on the 7th of the ides of December [7th Dec] : Sige-
frid succeeded him.
A.D. 1060. Henry, king of the Franks, died, and was succeeded
by his eldest son, PhiHp. Duduc, bishop of Wells, died, and
was succeeded by Gisa, the king's chaplain : they were both
natives of Lorraine. Kinsi, archbishop of York, died at York
on the 11th of the kalends of January [22d Dec.].: his corpse
was taken to the monastery of Peterborough, and buried there
with great ceremony. On Christmas-day, Aldred, bishop of
Worcester, was chosen archbishop in his stead, and the bishopric
of Hereford, which had been committed to his charge on account
of his industiy, was given to Walter, the queen's chaplain, a native
of Lorraine.
^On Christmas-day, which fell on a Sunday, Sigefrid, abbot of
Fulda, left Fulda for the king's court, and, with the consent of the
pope's legate, Alexander, who was shortly afterwards made pope,
received the staff of the archbishopric of Mentz, on the day ol' our
Lord's Epiphany. Widrat, dean of Fulda, succeeded him in tlie
abbacy.
A.D. 1061. Aldred, archbishop of York, went to Rome, in
company with earl Tosti, and received the pall from pope Nicholas : ■
■■'Maiolus, abbot of the Scots, died at Cologne: Foilan was his
successor. Pope Nicholas died. Alexander succeeded as pope,
being the 149th.
A.D. 1 062. The reverend Wulstan was made bishop of Worcester.
This favourite of God was born in that part of the Mercian terri-
tory lying within Warwickshire, of religious parents, his father's
name being Eatstan, and his mother's Wulgeova ; but he became
a proficient in literature and ecclesiastical duties in the noble
monastery of Peterborough. Both his parents were so devout,
that long prior to their deaths they took the vows of chastity, and
separated, rejoicing to finish their lives in the habit of holy conver-
sation. Incited by these examples, and chiefly instigated by his
mother, he quitted the world, and in the same monastery of
Worcester where his father had also lived in God's service, received
the monastic habit and grade from the venerable Brihteag, bishop
of that church, who also ordained him to the grades of deacon and
priest ; and straightway entering on a severe and strictly religious
life, both in watching, fasting, prayer, and all kinds of virtues, he
(|uickly became an object of admiration. Hence, on account of
his strictness, he was at first appointed master and warden of the
children : and afterwards, in consequence of his skill in the church
offices, the elders appointed him to be chanter and treasurer of the
church. The custody of the church being tluis committed to him,
he embraced the opportunity of serving God with less restraint,
^ Tho whole of this passage i^ fr(im Marlamis.
^ " There too Gisa was by tho same jxipe ordained bishop of Wells, and Walter
was ordained bishop of Hereford. Until .7t)hn, the successor of Gisa, all the
bishops of Wells had their see at WeUs, in the church of St. Andrew the apostle."
A. addition.
^ Tho remainder of the year is from I\Iariauus.
A.D, 10G2.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 291
giving himself up to a contemplative life, going into the church
day and night to pray and read the Bible, and diligently mortifying
his body by fasts of two and three days' duration. So devoted was
he to sacred vigils, that not only would he keep himself awake
during the night, but day and night also ; and, what we would
hardly believe unless we had heard it from his own mouth, passing
four days and four nights without sleep : so that his parched up
brain would be in great danger if he did not hasten to satisfy the
demands of nature with a taste of sleep. And when the urgency of
nature at last compelled him to sleep, he did not pamper his limbs
by resting on a bed or coverings, but would he down for a short time
on one of the benches of the church, resting his head on the book
which he had used for praying or reading. Some time afterwards,
the reverend man was, on the death of Agelwin, prior of the
monastery, appointed by bishop Aldred to be prior and father of
the congregation ; this office he filled in a laudable manner, by no
means abating the austerity of his former behaviour, but rather
increasing it, in order to give to others the example of a good life.
Then, after the lapse of some years, Aldred, bishop of Worcester,
being elected to the archbishopric of York, all the clergy and laity
unanimously elected him to be bishop ; the king having given them
permission to make their own choice. For it chanced there were
present at that election two ambassadors from the apostolic see ;
namely, Armenfred, bishop of Sedunum, and another person.
They were sent by our lord the pope Alexander to Eadward, king
of the English, to receive his replies on certain ecclesiastical
matters, and by the king's orders were staying during nearly the
whole of Lent at Worcester, waiting for the answer to their embassy
until the meeting of the king's court at the ensuing Easter. These
men noticing his praiseworthy behaviour during their stay, not only
agreed to his election, but w^ere the chief promoters of it, both
among the clergy and the laity, and by their authority made his
election sure. He obstinately refused, exclaiming that he was
unworthy, and with an oath declaring that he would rather be
beheaded than be advanced to such an high office : and when,
notwithstanding the frequent arguments of many pious and venerable
persons, he could by no means be brought to consent, he was at
last severely taken to task by the anchorite Wulsi, a man of God
who was well known to have lived in seclusion for more than forty
years. By his influence, and in consequence of having been
alarmed by a divine oracle, he yielded an assent with great sorrow
of heart, and his election having been canonically confirmed on the
feast-day of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist [29th Aug.],
and the bishopric entered upon, he was consecrated on the Sunday
when the nativity of St. Mary is celebrated by the church [8th
Sept.], and so in the splendour of his life and virtues, he shone
forth as bishop of Worcester. So he was consecrated bishop by
the venerable Aldred, archbishop of York ; Stigand, archbishop of
Canterbur)% being then interdicted by the pope from exercising
the episcopal function, because he had presumed to take the arch-
bishopric while archbishop Rotbert was still living : notwithstanding
u 2
292 CHURCH historians of England. [a.d. io63—
which, Wulstan made liis canonical profession to Stigand, the
aforesaid archbishop of Canterbury, and not to Aldred, who had
ordained him. Moreover, Stigand so managed, that the said arch-
bishop of York who ordained Wulstan was ordered to promise, in
the presence of the king and his nobles, that he would not
thereafter put forth any claim to ecclesiastical or secular dominion
over him, neither by reason that he was consecrated by him, nor
by reason that he had been one of his monks before his consecra-
tion. This ordination of Wulstan occurred when he was more
than fifty years old, in the twentieth year of the reign of king
Eadward, and in the fifteenth indiction.
A.D. 1063. After Christmas-day, Harold, the valiant earl of
the West Saxons, took by king Eadward's command a small troop
of horsemen, and leaving Gloucester, where the king was then
staying, went in all haste to Rudelan,' with the determination to
slay Griffin, king of the Welsh, on account of his frequent forays
in the English marches, and the many insults which he offered to
his lord, king Eadward. But Griffin, when he heard of his coming,
fled with his men, and, taking ship, escaped, though with great
difficulty. Harold, when he heard of his flight, ordered his palace
and his ships and implements of navigation to be burned, and then
returned the same day. But about Rogation Week [26th iMay],
he set out from Bristol with a naval force, and circumnavigated a
great part of Wales. Then his brother, earl Tosti, met him by the
king's command, and having united tlieir forces, they began to lay
waste that part of the country. The Welsh were thus compelled
to give hostages and submit, and promised to pay tribute to him ;
they also outlawed and renounced their king Griffin.
A.D. 1064. -The great paschal cycle began at this time, in the
second indiction. The archbishop of Mentz, and the bishops of
Utrecht, Bamberg, and Ratisbon, accompanied by more than seven
thousand men, rich and poor, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem,
shortly after the feast-day of St. Martin [11th Nov.]. Wlicn-
ever the bishops halted, they wore their palls on their shoulders ;
and they ate and drank out of gold or silver cups. At the report
of their wealth, the Arabites assembled, and slew many of tliem on
Good Friday [9th April]. Those who managed to escape took
refuge in a deserted castle, called Caruasalim, and, shutting the
gates, defended themselves with sticks and stones against the darts of
the Arabites, who demanded their money, or in default threatened
to slay and plunder them. Then a very brave soldier, who was
determined that no peril should prevent liim from beholding our
Lord's sepulchre, left the castle : the Arabites immediately took him
prisoner, stretched him on his back upon the ground in the form
of a cross, nailed his hands and feet to the earth, and cutting him
open from the pit of his stomach to his throat, exposed all his
entrails. Having torn him limb from limb, their chief hurled a
stone at him, and the others did the same : then they said to his
companions, who were spectators of the transaction from the
' lliiddlan, in Flintttbirc.
2 This long passage m from Jlariauus.
A.D. 1065.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 293
castle, "Thus you shall be served unless you give us all your
money." The Christians promised to do so, and then the leader
of the Arabites and sixteen of his followers, armed with swords,
entered the castle. So the said leader found the bishops sitting in
great state, and noticing that Gunther, the bishop of Bamberg,
excelled the rest in height and shapeliness, fancied that he was the
chief man among the Christians, and putting a thong round the
bishop's neck, in the same manner as the heathens are accustomed
to hold their criminals, he said, " You and all your property shall
be mine." But the bishop said to him by means of an inter-
preter, " What will you do to me?" He answered, " I will suck
the bright blood from that throat of yours, and then I will hang
you up like a dog in front of the castle." The bishop thereupon
seized him by the head, and with one blow of his fist felled him to
the ground, and his followers were all put in fetters. When those
outside found this out, they made an assault on the castle ; but
the prisoners were suspended from the w^alls opposite the assailants,
and regard for their safety put a stop to the attack. Then those
thieves began to quarrel about the money which they had previously
taken from the Christians, and a great many died by each other's
hands. Meanwhile, the prince of Ramala, at the request of those
Christians who had managed to escape, came with a strong force,
on the second day of Easter [12th April], and put the Arabites to
flight : and then, after accepting fifty gold pieces from the Christians,
he and an Arabite chief who was at war with his lord, the emir of
the Saracens, conveyed them to Jerusalem, and thence to their
ships. Thus this Christian host was so wasted away, that out of
seven thousand and more only two thousand returned home.
Griffin, king of the Welsh, was slain by his subjects on the
nones of August [5th Aug.], and his head, and his ship's beak,
with its ornaments, were sent to earl Harold, who immediately
forwarded them to king Eadward. King Eadward afterwards gave
Wales to his [Griffin's] brothers, Blethgent and Rithwalan, who
swore fealty to him and earl Harold, and promised to always obey
their behests by land and by sea, and pay properly all which the
country had previously paid to preceding kings.
A.D. 1065. The reverend Agelwin, bishop of Durham, disin-
terred the bones of St. Oswin, formerly king of Bernicia, from his
tomb in the monastery which lies at the mouth of the river Tyne,
where they had lain for four hundred and fifteen years, and de-
posited them in a chest with great ceremony. In July, Harold,
the valiant earl of the West Saxons, gave orders for the erection of
a large building at a place called Portascith [Portskewith], in
Wales, and gave directions that it should be well stocked with
meat and drink, in order that his lord, king Eadward, might pass
some time there in hunting. But Cradoc, son of Griffin, king of
the South Welsh, (whom Griffin, king of the North Welsh, had
slain, and whose territory he had invaded some few years before,)
marched there with as many men as he could get together, on the
feast-day of St. Bartholomew [24th Aug.], and massacred nearly
all the workmen and superintendents, and carried off all the effects
294 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. lOGG.
which had been transported thither. Shortly after the feast-day of
St. Michael the archangel, to \vit, on IMonday, the 3d of October,
the 'Northumbrian thanes Gamelbearn, Dunstan the son of Athel-
neth, Glonicorn the son of Heardulf, entered York with two
hundred soldiers, and, in revenge for the execrable slaughter of the
noble Northumbrian thanes Gospatric (whom queen Eadgitha had
ordered to be treacherously slain in the king's court, on the fourth
night after the feast of our Lord's Nativity [^28th Dec], on account
of [a quarrel which he had with] her brother Tosti), and Gamcl,
the son of Orm, and Ulf, the son of Dolfin (whom earl Tosti, while
at York, the year before, had caused to be treacherously slain in
his own chamber, although there was peace between them), and
also on account of the heavy tribute which he unjustly laid on the
whole of Northumbria, they on the same day, first of all, stopped
in their flight his Danish house-carls Amund and Reavensuart, and
put them to death outside the city walls, and on the following day
slew more than two hundred of his tenants, on the north side of
the river Huniber : they also broke open his treasury, and retired,
carrying otf all his eftects. After that, nearly all the men in his
earldom assembled, and went to Northampton, to meet Harold,
earl of the West Saxons, and others, whom the king, at Tosti's
request, had despatched to restore peace between them. There
(as also afterwards at Oxford), on the feast-day of the apostles
Simon and Jude [28th Oct.], when earl Harold and the rest
attempted to bring about an accommodation between them and
earl Tosti, they all unanimously refused, and outlawed him and all
who had taken part with him in his unjust government; and, after
the feast of All Saints [1st Nov.], with the concurrence of earl
Eadwin, they banished Tosti from England : whereupon he
presently went, in company with his wife, to Baldwin, count of
Flanders, and passed the winter at St. Omer. After this, king
Eadward's health began gradually to fail : however, at Christmas,
he held his court as well as he was able, at London, and on
the feast-day of the Holy Innocents [28th Dec] he caused the
church [of Westminster], which was entirely of his own building,
to be dedicated with great splendour to St. Peter, the prince of
apostles.'
A.D. lOGG. On Thursday, the vigil of our Lord's Epiphany
[5th Jan.], in the fourth indiction, the pride of the English, the
pacific king Eadward, son of king Aethclred, died at London,
having reigned over the Anglo-Saxons twenty-three years, six
months, and twenty-seven days : the next day he was buried in
kingly stjde, amid the bitter lamentations of all present. After his
interment, the subregulus Harold, son of earl Godwin, whom the
king had nominated as his successor, was elected king by the chief
nobles of all England; and on the same day was crowned with great
* " Ceclric, abbot of Abingdon, .iftcr he had ruled with honour the house in-
trusted to him, and liad brought it back from tlie memory of the prince of the
apostles to his own, died, exhausted by a long .-jickness ; whereupon Kadred, who
had discharged the office of provost in the Bamc monastery, succeeded to the
dignity of abbot." B. addition.
A.D. 10G6.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 295
ceremony, by Aldred, archbishop of York. On taking the helm
of the kingdom, he immediately began to abolish unjust laws and
make good ones ; to patronise churches and monasteries ; to pay
particular attention and yield reverence to bishops, abbots, monks,
and clerks ; to show himself pious, humble, and affable to all good
men: but he treated malefactors with the utmost severity, and
gave general orders to his earls, ealdormen, sheriffs, and thanes to
imprison all thieves, robbers, and disturbers of the kingdom; and
he himself laboured by sea and by land for the protection of his
country.
On the 8th of the kalends of May [24th April] in this year, a
comet was seen not only in England, but, it is said, all over the
world, and shone for seven days with exceeding brightness. Shortly
afterwards earl Tosti returned from Flanders and landed at the
Isle of Wight. After making the islanders pay tribute and stipend,
he departed and went pillaging along the sea-coast until he arrived
at the port of Sandwich. As soon as king Harold, who was then
at London, heard this, he assembled a large fleet and an army of
cavalry, and he prepared to go in person to the port of Sandwich.
When Tosti was informed of this he took some of the shipmen of
the place, willing and unwilling, and bent his course towards
Lindesey, where he burned many vills and put many men to
death. Thereupon Eadwin, earl of the Mercians, and Morcar,
earl of the Northumbrians, hastened up with an army and ex-
pelled him from that part of the country. Departing thence he
went to Malcolm, king of the Scots, and remained with him
during the whole of the summer. Meanwhile king Harold arrived
at the port of Sandwich, and waited there for his fleet. When it
was assembled, he crossed over with it to the Isle of Wight, and
inasmuch as king Eadward's cousin William, earl of the Normans,
was preparing to invade England with an army, he watched all the
summer and autumn for his coming ; and in addition distributed
a land force at suitable points along the sea-coast. But about the
feast-day of the Nativity of St. Maiy [8th Sept.] provisions fell
short, so the naval and land forces returned home.
After this Harold Harvagra,' king of the Norwegians, and brother
of St. Olaf the king, arrived on a sudden at the mouth of the river
Tyne, with a powerful fleet, consisting of more than five hundred
large ships. Earl Tosti, according to previous arrangement, joined
him with his fleet. They hastened their course and entered the river
Humber, and then sailing up the river Ouse against the stream,
landed at a place called Richale. King Harold, on hearing this,
marched in haste towards Northumbria; but before his arrival the
two brothers, earls Eadwin and Morcar, at the head of a large
army, fought a battle with the Norwegians on the northern bank
of the river Ouse near York, on Wednesday, being the vigil of the
feast-day of St. Matthew the apostle [20th Sept.], and they fought
so bravely at the onset that many of the enemy were overthrown.
But after a long contest the English were unable to withstand the
1 Here Florence is in eiTor; Harold HarJrada, and not Harold Harfrer, was
the ally of Tostig.
296 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. lOfJG—
attacks of the Norwegians, and flecl \vith great loss ; and more
were drowned in the river than slain in the tield. The Nonvegians
remained masters of the field of carnage, and having taken one
hundred and fifty hostages from York, and leaving there one
hundred and fifty of their own men as hostages, they went to their
ships. Five days afterwards, that is, on Monday, the 7th of the
kalends of October [25th Sept.], as Harold, king of the English,
was coming to York with many thousand well-armed fighting men,
he fell in with the Norwegians at a place called Stamford-bridge,
slew king Harold and earl Tosti, with the greater part of their
army, and gained a complete victory; nevertheless, the battle was
stoutly contested. He, however, permitted Olaf, the son of the
Norwegian king, and Paul, earl of Orkney, who had been sent off
with a portion of the army to guard the fleet, to return home without
molestation, with twenty ships and the remains of the army ; first,
however, taking hostages and oatlis [of submission] from them.
In the midst of these things, and when the king might have con-
sidered that all his enemies were subdued, it was told to him tliat
William, earl of the Normans, had arrived with a countless host of
horsemen, slingers, archers, and foot-soldiers, having brought with
him powerful auxiliaries from all parts of Gaul, and that he had
landed at a place Ccdled Pefnesea [Pevensey]. Thereat, the king
at once, and in great haste, marched his army towards London ;
and though he well knew that some of the bravest Englishmen had
fallen in his two [former] battles, and that one half of his army had
not yet arrived, he did not hesitate to advance with all speed into
South Saxony against his enemies; and on Saturday the 11th of
the kalends of September [22d Oct.], before a third of his army
was in order for fighting, he joined battle with them nine miles
from Hastings, where they had fortified a castle. But inasmuch
as the English were drawn up in a narrow place, many retired
from the ranks, and very few remained true to him ; nevertheless
from the third hour of the day until dusk he bravely withstood the
enemy, and fought so valiantly and stubbornly in his own defence,
that the enemy's forces could hardly make any impression. At
last, after great slaughter on both sides, about twilight the king,
alas ! fell. There were slain also earl Girth, and his brother earl
Leofwin, and nearly all the nobility of England. Then earl William
returned with his men to Hastings.
Harold reigned nine months and as many days. On hearing of
his death, the earls Eadwin and Morcar, who had withdrawn them-
selves and their men from the conflict, went to London and sent
their sister queen Algitha to Chester ; but Aldred, archbishop of
York, and the said earls, with the citizens of London and tlie
shipmen, were desirous of elevating to the throne Eadgar the
etheling, nephew of king Eadmund Ironside, and promised that
they would renew the contest under his command. But while
numbers were preparing to go out to fight, the earls withdrew their
assistance and returned home with tlieir army.
Meanwliile carl Wilham was laying waste South Saxony, Kent,
South Hamptonshire, Surrey, Middle Saxony, and Hertfordshire,
A.D. 1067.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 297
and kept on burning the vills and slaying the natives until he came
to a vill called Beorcham, There archbishop Aldred, Wulstan,
bishop of Worcester, Walter, bishop of Hereford, Eadgar the
etheling, earls Eadwin and Morcar, the chief men of London, and
many more came to him, and, giving hostages, surrendered and
swore fealty to him. So he entered into a treaty with them ; yet,
nevertheless, he permitted his army to burn the vills and keep on
pillaging. But when the feast of our Lord's Nativity [25th Dec]
drew nigh, he went to London with his whole army in order that
he might be made king. And because Stigand, the primate of all
England, was accused by the pope of having obtained the pall in
an uncanonical manner, he was anointed king at Westminster with
great ceremony on Christmas-day (which in that year fell on a
Monday) by Aldred, archbishop of York, having previously (for
the archbishop had made it a condition) sworn at the altar of St.
Peter the apostle, in the presence of the clergy and people, that he
would defend the holy churches of God and their ministers, and
would also rule justly and with royal care the people who were
placed under him, and would ordain and maintain right law, and
utterly prohibit all spoliation and unrighteous judgments.
A.D. 1067. When Lent [21st Feb.] arrived, king William
returned to Normandy, taking with him Stigand, archbishop of
Canterbury, Aegelnoth, abbot of Glastonbury, Edgar, etheling,
the earls Edwin and Morkar, Waltheof, son of duke Siward, the
noble Agelnoth, governor of Kent, and many others of the chiefs
of England ; and leaving his brother Odo, bishop of Bayeux, and
William Fitzosberne (whom he had created earl of Hereford), as
wardens of England, he gave orders to strengthen the forts in
different places.
Wulfwius, bishop of Dorchester, died at Winchester, but was
buried at Dorchester.
At that time lived a very powerful thane, Edric, surnamcd the
Forester, the son of Aelfric brother of Edric Streona, whose land,
because he refused to surrender himself up to the king, the garrison
of Hereford and Richard Fitz-Scrob frequently devastated ; but as
often as they sallied out against him they lost many of their knights
and esquires.
Wherefore Edric, having summoned to his assistance the kings
of the Welsh, Blethgent and Rithwalan, about the Assumption of
St. Mary [15th Aug.], laid waste the province of Hereford, up to
the bridge over the river Lucge, and brought back great spoil.
After this, the winter being near, king William returned from
Normandy into England, and imposed on the English an insup-
portable tax. Then invading Devonshire, he besieged and speedily
reduced the city of Exeter, which the citizens and a few English
thanes held against him. But the countess Gytha, the mother of
Harold, king of the English, and sister of Sweyn, king of the Danes,
escaped with many others from the city, and sought refuge in
Flanders ; and the citizens surrendered to the king, having inter-
changed right hands. Siward, nineteenth bishop of Rochester,
died.
298 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1068—
A.D. 1068. After Easter [23d March], the countess Matilda
came from Normandy into England, and on the day of Pentecost
[11th May] was consecrated queen byAldred, archbishop of York.
After this, Marleswein and Gospatric, and all the nobler Northum-
brians, to avoid the severity of the king, and dreading the imprison-
ment which so many had suffered, sailed to Scotland, with Eadgar,
etheling, his mother Agatha, and his two sisters Margaret and
Christina, and wintered there under the protection of Malcolm, king
of Scots. Now king William came with his army to Nottingham,
and having strengthened the castle there, proceeded to York ; where
having fortified two castles and placed five hundred men in them,
he gave orders that the castles in the city of Lincoln and in other
places should be fortified.
While these events were taking place, the sons of king Harold,
Godwin, Eadmund, and Magnus, landed in Somerset, on their
return from Ireland, and Eadnothus, late stallere to king Harold,
met them, and giving them battle, was slain, with many others ;
and they, having gained the victory, and carried away a considerable
spoil from Devon and Cornwall, returned to Ireland.
A.D. 1069. 'Marianus, after a seclusion of ten years in Fulda,
by command of the bishop of Mentz and the abbot of Fulda, came
to Mentz, on the 3d of the nones of April [3d April], being the
Friday before Palm Sunday [5th April]. Two of the sons of
Harold, about the Nativity of St. John Baptist [24th June], coming
again from Ireland with sixty-four ships, landed at the mouth of the
Tavy, and fought a great battle with Brian of Brittany ; after its
termination they returned to the place whence they had come.
^Marianus, on the 6th of the ides of July [10th July], being the
Friday in the Nativity of the Seven Holy Brethren, entered into
seclusion in the same city, near the chief monastery.
Before the Nativity of St. Mary [8th Sept.], Harold and Canute,
sons of Sweyn, king of the Danes, and their uncle, earl Asbiorn, with
earl Thurkill, coming from Denmark with two hundred and forty
ships, landed at the mouth of the Humber, where they were joined
by Eadgar, etheling, earl Walthcof, and Marleswein, and many others,
with the Hcet which they had assembled. Aldred, archbishop of York,
being much affected with grief at their arrival, fell into a dangerous
sickness, and in the tenth year of his archiepiscopatc, Friday, on
the 3d of the ides of September [11th Sept.], as he had prayed of
God, he departed this life, and was buried in the church of St. Peter.
On the eighth day after this, namely, on Saturday, the 13th of the
kalends of October [19th Sept.], the Normans who kept the forts
set fire to the houses adjacent to them, fearing that they might be
of use to the Danes in tilling up the trenches ; and the flames
spreading, attacked the whole of the city, and entirely consumed it,
together with the monastery of St. Peter.
But this was most speedily followed \yy a heavy infliction of the
divine vengeance. For on Monday, before the whole of the city
was entirely burnt, the Danes arrived with their fleet, and on the
1 This passage respectiug Marianus is extracted from his own Chronicle.
^ Also from Marianus.
A.D. 1070.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 290
same day destroyed the forts ; and having put to the sword upwards
of three thousand of the Normans (one Wilham Malet, with his
wife and two children, and a very few others, being spared), they
returned to their ships with a large amount of plunder.
When king William received intelligence of this, he at once
assembled his army, and hastening, with an angry heart, into
Northumbria, ceased not, during the whole winter, to lay waste the
land, to murder the inhabitants, and to inflict numerous injuries.
Meanwhile he sent messengers to the Danish earl, Asbiorn, and
engaged to present him secretly with a large sum of money, and to
grant permission to his army to forage freely along the sea-coast, on
condition that he would depart, without giving battle, at the end
of the winter. But the Dane, too greedy of money, to his great
dishonour, agreed to the terms proposed to him.
On account of the devastations of England by the North-men,
(which were confined to Northumbria and other provinces, in the
preceding year, and in the present and following years extended
throughout nearly the whole of the country, but were most severe
in Northumbria and the adjoining provinces,) so great a famine
prevailed that men were forced to consume the flesh of horses,
dogs, cats, and even that of human beings.
A.D. 1070. By the advice of William, earl of Hereford, and
some others, during the time of Lent, king William commanded
the monasteries of the whole of England to be searched, and the
money which the richer English, by reason of the severity and the
depopulation of the land, had deposited in them, to be seized and
carried to his treasuiy.
In the octaves of Easter [4th April], a great council was holden
at Winchester, in the presence and by the command of king
William, and by consent of pope Alexander, whose authority was
represented by his legates, Earmenfred, bishop of Sion, and John
and Peter, presbyter cardinals of the apostolic see. In this council
Stigand, archbishop of Canterbury, was degraded on three grounds ;
because he was unlawfully holding the bishopric of Winchester,
together with his own archbishopric; and because, during the life
of archbishop Robert, he had not only taken possession of the arch-
bishopric, but for some time during the celebration of the mass had
worn his pall, which had been left at Canterbury after his violent
and unjust banishment from England ; and because he had afterwards
received the pall from Benedict, who had been excommunicated by
the Holy Roman Church for having simoniacally obtained possession
of the apostolic see. His brother, Aegelmar, bishop of the East
Angles, was also deposed. A few abbots were also there degraded,
the king promoting the deprivation of the English, and filling up
their places by persons of his own nation, in order to confirm his
power in a kingdom which he had but newly acquired. He also
deprived of their honours certain persons, both bishops and abbots,
whom neither the ecclesiastical councils nor the civil laws could
convict of any open crime, and to the end of their lives held them
in confinement, induced solely by mistrust, as we have said, of
losing his newly acquired kingdom. In this council also, while
300 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1070—
the rest were trembling in anticipation of the loss of their own
honours, as though they had penetrated the intentions of the
king, the venerable Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, courageously
demanded the restitution of many of the appurtenances of his see
which had been retained by archbishop Aeldred in his own power,
when he was translated from Worcester to York, and which, by his
death, had passed into the hands of the king; and insisted on
justice being done to him, not only by those who presided in the
council, but also by the king himself. But because the church of
York, not having a pastor who could plead her cause, was dumb, it
was adjudged that the dispute should remain undecided until the
appointment of an archbishop, who could defend her, whep, as
there would be an opponent to reply to his argument, a more clear
and just decision would be elicited from their mutual statements
and answers. Thus, therefore, the matter remained for the present.
On the day of Pentecost [23d May], the king, at Windsor, gave
the archbishopric of York to the venerable Thomas, canon of
Bayeux, and the bishopric of Winchester to his chaplain, Walchelin;
by whose mandate, on the morrow, the aforesaid Aermenfrid,
bishop of Sion, held a synod, the cardinals, John and Peter, having
returned to Rome. In this synod, Aegelric, bishop of the South
Saxons, was uncanonically deposed, and soon after placed in con-
finement at Mearlesbeorge by the king, though he was innocent of
any crime ; many abbots were also deposed. After their depri-
vation, the king gave the bishopric of the East Angles to Arfast,
and that of the South Saxons to Stigand, his chaplain ; Stigand
transferred his see to Chichester, the capital of his diocese ; the
king also gave abbeys to some Norman monks. And because the
archbishop of Canterbuiy was deposed, and the archbishop of York
dead, by command of the king, in the octave of Pentecost [31st
May], Walchelin was ordained by the same Aermenfrid, bishop
of Sion.
The feast of St. John Baptist [24th June] being near, carl
Asbiorn went to Denmark with the fleet which had wintered in the
Humber, and his brother Sweyn outlawed him because he had
taken a bribe from king William against the wishes of the Danes.
That valiant man, Edric, surnamed the forester, (of whom we made
mention above,) was reconciled with king William. After this, the
king summoned from Normandy Landfranc, abbot of Caen, by
birth a Lombard, a man of varied learning, skilled in all liberal
arts, and in divine and secular knowledge, of exceeding prudence
in counsel, and in the management of state affairs ; on the day of
the Assumption of St. Mary [15th Aug.] the king appointed him
archbishop of Canterl)ury, and caused him to be consecrated, on
Sunday, the feast of St. John Baptist [24th June], at Canterbury.
He was consecrated by Giso, bisliop of Wells, and Walter, bishop
of Hereford, who were both ordained at Rome by pope Nicholas.
when Aeldred, archbishop of York, took the pall ; for they avoided
ordination at the hands of Stigand, then archbishop of Canterbuiy,
knowing him to have received the pall uncanonically. Bishop
Heriman, who had now transferred the scat of his bishopric from
A. D. 1072.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 301
Shirburn to Salisbury, was also present at his consecration, with
some others. Afterwards Landfranc consecrated Thomas, arch-
bishop of York. These things being done, there being now a
bishop who could plead for the church of York, the cause of the
reverend Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, was again mooted, and
finally, by the aid of God's grace, concluded in a council holden in
a place called Pedreda, in presence of the king, Landfranc, arch-
bishop of Canterbury, and the bishops, abbots, earls, and chiefs of
all England. For all the stratagems by which Thomas and his
supporters were busily attempting to lower the church of Worcester,
and to render her the subject and slave of York, being crushed by
the just judgment of God, and the clearest documentary evidence,
and totally annihilated, not only did Wulfstan regain the possession
which he had publicly demanded, but he resumed his church in the
enjoyment of those liberties which its first founders, St. Aethelred,
Osher, viceroy of the Hwiccii, and the other kings of Mercia,
Kenred, Aethelbald, Ofta, Kenulf, and their successors, Eadward
the elder, Aethelstan, Eadmund, Edred, Eadgar, had conferred
upon it.
Aegelwine, bishop of Durham, was taken by the men of king
William, and thrust into prison ; where, refusing to eat from
excessive sorrow of heart, he died of grief and stai^vation. On the
death of Siward, bishop of Rochester, Arnostus, monk of Bee,
succeeded to the see, and was himself succeeded by Gundulf, a
monk of the same church.
A.D. 1071. Landfranc and Thomas went to Rome, and received
the pall from pope Alexander. Earls Edwin and Morkar, because
king William sought to put them in confinement, escaped secretly
from his court, and for some time continued in rebellion against
him ; but when they saw that their enterprise had not turned out
successfully, Edwin determined to go to Malcolm, king of the Scots,
but was killed on the journey, in an ambush laid by his own people.
But Morkar, and Aegelwine, bishop of Durham, Siward, surnamed
Barn, and Hereward, a most valiant man, with many others, took
ship, and went to the isle of Ely, desiring to winter there. Wlien
the king heard of this, he blocked up every outlet on the eastern
side of the island by his sailors, and commanded a bridge of two
miles in length to be constructed on the western side. And when
they saw that they were thus shut in, they gave up resistance, and
all except the valiant Hereward, who made his escape through the
fens, with a few others, surrendered to the king ; who at once sent
bishop Aegelwine to Abingdon, where he was placed in confine-
ment, and died the same winter. As for the earl and the rest,
who were scattered throughout England, he placed some in confine-
ment, and permitted some to go free, with the loss of their hands
or eyes.^
a!'d. W72. After the Assumption of St. Mary [15th Aug.],
* " Aldred, abbot of Abingdon, was placed in custody in the castle of' Waling-
ford ; but after some time he was removed thence, and committed to the keeping
of Walcheline, bishop of Winchester, in which he continued as long as he lived.
He was succeeded iu his abbacy by Athelelm, a monk of Jumiege." Lamb. MS.
302 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1073—
William, king of the English, having Edric the Forester in his re-
tinue, invaded Scotland with a naval force and an army of cavalry, in
order to reduce it to his own power ; and Malcolm, king of Scots,
met him in a pUice called Abernithiei, and became his vassal.
Aegelric, late bishop of Durham, departed this life at Westminster,
w^hither king William had sent him into confinement, on Monday,
the ides of October [15th October]. Walcer, a native of Lorrain,
succeeded Aegehvine in the see of Durham.
A.D. 1073. William, king of the English, reduced to his own
power the city called Maine, and the province belonging to it, prin-
cipally by the aid of the English whom he had taken with him out
of England. Eadgar Aetheling came out of Scotland through
England into Normandy, and was reconciled to the king.
A.D. 1074. Roger, earl of Hereford, son of William, earl of the
same province, gave his daughter in marriage to Ralph, earl of the
East Angles, against the command of the king ; and w^hile he was
celebrating the nuptials with much magnificence, along with a great
multitude of nobles, at a place called Yxninge, in the province of
Cambridge, he formed a conspiracy, in which most of the party
oined, against the king, and they compelled earl Waltheof, whom
they had insidiously surprised, to join them in the plot. As soon as
he was able, however, he went to Landfranc, archbishop of Canter-
bury, and accepting penance for his compulsory oath, by his advice
applied to king William, who was then in Normandy, and having
related the affair from beginning to end, voluntarily threw himself
upon the royal clemency. But the chiefs of the conspiracy, intent
upon the advancement of their plot, retired to their castles, and
began by every exertion, with the aid of their supporters, to excite
the rebellion. But Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, with a great
military force, Aegelwy, abbot of Evesham, wath his followers,
and having procured the assistance of Urso, earl of Worcester, and
Walter de Lacy, with their forces, and a large number of the
people, prepared to prevent the carl of Hereford from crossing the
Severn and joining earl Ral})h and his army. Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, the king's brother, and Geoffrey, bishop of Coutances,
with a great force, both of English and Normans, ready for action,
met the earl himself encamped near Cambridge. But he, per-
ceiving that his plan was frustrated, and moreover fearing the
superior numbers of his opponents, escaped secretly to Norwich,
and, leaving his castle to the care of his wife and his knights,
embarked from England for Lesser Brittany ; his adversaries pur-
suing him, and killing or maiming in various ways those of his
followers whom they w^crc able to capture. Then the leaders laid,
siege to his castle, until the proclamation of peace by the permission
of the king allowed his countess and her people to depart from
England. These things being done, the king returned in the
autimin from Normandy, and put earl Roger in coiitinement. and
delivered earl Waltheof to custody, though he had implored his
mercy.
Eadg)^th, sister-in-law to king Harold, once king of the English,
died atWinchester on the 14th of the kalends of .lanuary [1 i)th Dec.].
A.D. 1079.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 303
Her body was brought to London by command of the king, and
buried with honour near the body of her husband, king Eadward, at
Westminster, where the king at the ensuing Nativity held his court ;
and of those who had rebelled against him, he outlawed some and
disgraced others, by putting out their eyes or cutting off their
hands ; but he committed to closer confinement the earls Waltheof
and Roger, who had been condemned by a judicial sentence.
A.D. 1075. Earl Waltheof, by order of king WiUiam, being
brought outside of the city of Winchester, was beheaded with cruel
indignity, and buried in the place of his execution ; but in process
of time, by the ordinance of God, his body was exhumed, carried
with great honour to Croyland, and honourably buried in the
church. This man, while yet in the enjoyment of life, being
placed in close confinement, lamented without ceasing and with
extreme bitterness the unrighteous actions of his past life. He
earnestly sought to appease his God by vigils, prayers, fastings, and
almsgiving ; men desired to blot out the remembrance of him on
earth ; but we firmly believe that he is now rejoicing with the
saints in heaven, on the testimony of archbishop Landfranc of
pious memory, from whom he received the sacrament of penance
after his confession, who declared that not only was he guiltless of
the crime laid to his charge, the conspiracy mentioned above, but
that, like a true Christian, he had lamented with tears of penitence
the other sins which he had committed ; and he added that he
himself should esteem himself happy could he enjoy, after his own
departure, the blessed repose of the earl. After this the king
crossed the sea, and entering Lesser Brittany, besieged the castle
of earl Ralph, which was called Dol, until Philip, king of the
French, expelled him.
A.D. 1076.
A.D. 1077. Robert, the eldest son of the king, (because he was
not permitted to possess Normandy which had been assigned to
him in the presence of Philip, king of the French, before the
arrival of William in England,) went to France, and, with the
assistance of Philip, committed great and frequent ravages in
Normandy ; he burned the towns, put to death the people, and
gave his father no little annoyance and anxiety.
A.D. 1078.
A.D. 1079. Malcolm, king of Scots, after the Assumption of St.
Mary [15th Aug.], laid waste Northumbria as far as the great
river Tyne, kiUing many men, capturing more, and returning witli
great spoil. King William, while engaged with his son Robert
before the castle of Gerberoi, which king Philip had offered to him,
was wounded by him in the arm and unhorsed ; but the son
recognising his father's voice, hastily dismounted, and bidding him
mount his own charger, permitted him to depart. And many of
the king's men having been slain, and some few taken prisoners,
and his son William and many others wounded, he commenced a
retreat. The venerable Robert, who had received the order of
priesthood by the ministry of Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, was
consecrated at Canterbury bishop of Hereford, by Landfranc,
304 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1080—
archbishop of Canterbury, on Sunday tlic 4th of the kalends of
January [29th Dec.].
A.D. 1080. Walcher, bishop of Durham, a native of Lorrain,
was slain by the Northumbrians on Thursday, the 2d of the ides of
May [14th May], at Gateshead, in revenge for the murder of Liulf,
a thane of noble birth. This man held many possessions by here-
ditary right throughout England ; but because in all parts of the
land the Normans were at that time continually giving vent to
their ferocity, he withdrew himself with all his people to Durham,
by reason of the sincere affection which he bore to the holy Cuth-
bert, who (as he was wont to narrate to Aldred, arclibishop of
York, and other religious persons) very often appeared to him
both in his sleeping and waking hours, and revealed to him as to
his faithful friend all that he wished to be done, under whose pro-
tection he had lived for a long time, sometimes in the town, some-
times on the possessions which he held on those districts. The
arrival of this person was not unpleasmg to bishop Walcher, who
was greatly devoted to the same saint in all things. For this
reason he became so much beloved by the bishop, that he would
not transact or arrange the weightier matters of his secular business
without his advice. Wherefore his chaplain, Leobwin, whom he
had so much exalted that scarcely anything was moved in the
bishopric or in the county without his consent, goaded on by envy,
and puffed up with excess of pride by reason of his own power, arro-
gantly opposed himself to the aforesaid Liulf, treating as if they were
worthless his judgments and counsels, and by every means striving
to bring them to nothing. Frequently, also, arguing with him in
tlie presence of the bishop, not without threats, did he provoke
him to anger by opprobrious words. One day it happened that
when this same Liulf, having been called to the council by the
bishop, had decided in all cases lawfully and justly, Leobwin
obstinately opposed him and exasperated him by contumelious
speeches. And because he was answered more harslily than ordi-
narily was the case, he at once left the court, and calling to him
Gilebert, to whom the bishop, as being his own kinsman, had
committed the government of the county of Northumbria, he
earnestly prayed that he would avenge him, and as soon as possible
would hasten the death of Liulf. Gilebert at once agreeing to his
iniquitous request, having collected the soldiers of the bishop and
of Leobwin himself, set out one night for the town where Liulf
then lived, and wickedly slew him in his ow^n house with nearly all
his household. When he first heard this, the bishop, sighing
deeply from his very heart, tore his hood from his head, and
casting it on the ground, said sorrowfully to Leobwin, who was
present, "This has been done, O Leobwin, by thy artful dealings
and most foolish machinations ; and I woidd have thee know that
for a surety thou hast destroyed both me, thyself, and all my
household by the sword of thy tongue." Saying this he hastily
withdrew into his castle, and immediately sending messengers
through Northumbria, he took great care to inform all that so far
from having been pri\7 to the death of Liulf, he had outlawed from
A.D. 1083.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 305
Nortliumbria his murderer and all his companions, and was pre-
pared to purge himself according to the pope's judgment. Then
the bishop and the relatives of the deceased (after having sent mes-
sengers to and fro, and peace being mutually given and accepted)
appointed a place and day on which to meet and confirm the
same, Wlien the day arrived they met together in the appointed
place ; but the bishop was unwilling to plead with them in the
open air, but entered into a church there with his clergy and the
more honourable of his knights ; and having held a council, sent out
to them from among his people once and again those who were to
make peace with them. But they would by no means acquiesce in
the required conditions, because they held it certain that Liulf had
been put to death by the bishop's orders ; for not only had
Leobwin, on the very next night after the murder of his relative,
taken Gilebert and his companions into his house with friendly
familiarity, but had received him as before into his favour and
family. Wherefore they at first put to death all those of the
bishop's party who were found out of doors, a few saving them-
selves by flight. Seeing this, in order to satisfy the fury of his
enemies, the bishop ordered the aforesaid Gilebert, his kinsman,
for whose life they were seeking, to go out of the church, the
guard following close upon him as he went out ; but forthwith
they were attacked upon all sides by the enemy with sword and
spear, and in a moment destroyed, only two Englishmen being
spared by reason of consanguinity. Leofwin, the dean of Dur-
ham, because he had often given much assistance to the bishop
against them, and the other clergy, they slew as soon as they came
forth. But the bishop, when he saw that their fury could not be
mitigated by any means short of the death of the chief and author
of all the calamity, Leobwin, requested him to go forth ; being
entirely unable to prevail upon him, he proceeded himself to the
gates of the church, and begged that his own life might be spared.
This being refused, he covered his head with the border of his
robe, went forth, and soon perished by the swords of his enemies.
Then they commanded Leobwin to come forth, and when he
refused, they set fire to the walls and roof of the church. But he,
choosing rather to end his life by fire than sword, bore the flames
for some time. At length, half burnt, he leaped from the building,
and having been dashed in pieces he died a wretched death, paying
the penalty of his wickedness. To revenge the detestable murder
of these men, king William in the same year laid waste the pro-
vince of Northumbria.
A.D. 108L William, abbot of the monastery of St. Vincent
the Martyr, being elected by king William, received the bishopric
of Durham, and on the nones of January [5th Jan.] was consecrated
by archbishop Thomas.
A.D. 1082. King William placed his brother Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, in confinement in Normandy.
A.D. 1083. A dire dispute arose between the monks of Glaston-
bury and their unworthy abbot Turstan, whom, despite his want of
discretion, king William had elevated from being a monk of Caen,
VOL. II. X
30G CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 10S4—
to the dignity of abbot of Glastonbuiy. Among his other fooHsh
exploits, he despised the Gregorian chant, and attempted to compel
the monks to relinquish it, and to learn to sing that of one William
of Fecamp. When they, who had grown old in the practice of the
Roman church, in this, as in other ecclesiastical ceremonies,
received his proposal with hesitation, on a sudden, at the head of a
militaiy force, without their knowledge, he one day broke into the
chapter-house and pursued the terrified monks, who fled into the
church, as far as the altar. The roods, and images, and shrines of the
saints, were pierced by the spears and arrows of his band ; he him-
self speared and killed one of the monks who was embracing the
holy altar, and put to death a second, who lay pierced with arrows at
its foot ; the rest, compelled by necessity, bravely defended them-
selves with the benches and candlesticks of the church, and though
severely wounded, they succeeded in driving back all the soldiers
out of the choir. The result of this was, that of the monks there
were two killed, and fourteen wounded, and even of the soldiers a
few injured.
The matter was brought to a judicial investigation, and when
it was clear that the greater share of the blame belonged to tlic
abbot, the king removed him, and placed him in his own mona-
steiy in Normandy. Most of the monks were dispersed through
bishoprics and abbacies, and placed in custody by command of
the king. After his death, the abbot purchased back his abbacy
from his son, king William, for five hundred pounds, and wandering
about for some years over the possessions of his church, at length
finished his days in misery, far from the monasteiy itself, as he well
deserved. On Thursday, the 4th of the nones of November [2d Nov.],
queen Matilda died in Normandy, and was buried at Caen.
A.D. 1084. William, king of the English, took six shillings from
every hide throughout England.
A.D. 1085. Eadmund, abbot of'Pershore, a man of rare probity
and piety, died in a good old age, on Sunday, the 17th of the
kalends of July [15th June], and was honourably buried by the
venerable Serlo, abbot of Gloucester; Turstan, monk of Gloucester,
succeeded him. In the same year, Canute, king of the Danes, with
a great fleet, and aided by his father-in-law, Robert, carl of Flanders,
prepared to invade England. Wherefore king William, levying
soldiers, footmen, and archers, to the number of many thousands,
from the whole of France, and taking some out of Normandy,
returned in the autumn to England, and dividing his army, gave
orders to his bishops, abbots, earls, barons, sherifls, and officers,
to supply them with provisions. But when he ascertained that his
enemies had been checked, he sent back a part of his army, and
kept a part with him through the whole of the winter; and on the
day of the Nativity of our Lord [25th Dec], held his court at
Gloucester, where he gave bishoprics to three of his chaplains,
namely, to Maurice the see of London, to William that of Thet-
ford, to Robert that of Chester.
A.D. 1086. King William caused all England to be described;
namely, the quantity of land possessed by each of his barons, the
A.D. 1087.J THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 307
number of knights' fees, the number of hides of land, the num-
ber of villeins, the number of beasts, yea, the amount of ready
money which each possessed in all his kingdom, from the greatest
to the least, and how much rent each property was able to return :
and the land was sorely vexed with the murders which proceeded
therefrom. In the week of Wliitsuntide [24th May], the king
honoured his son Henry with knighthood at Westminster, where he
was holding his court. Not long afterwards he commanded that
his archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, sheriffs, with their
knights, should meet him at Salisbury, on the kalends of August
[1st Aug.] ; when they were there, he compelled their knights to
swear fealty to him against all men. At that time Eadgar, ethel-
ing, having obtained permission of the king, went over sea with
two hundred knights, and proceeded to Apulia ; his sister, the
maiden Christina, entered the monasteiy, which is called the
monastery of Rumsey, and assumed the dress of a nun. In the
same year there was a murrain among beasts, and a great tempest.
A.D. 1087. In this year many perished, at first from fever, and
then from famine. Meanwhile a destructive fire consumed nearly
all the principal cities of England, and the church of St. Paul the
Apostle, with the greater and better part of London. The Danes
martyred their king, Canute, on Saturday, the 6th of the ides of
July, in a certain church. Stigand, bishop of Chichester, ScoUand,
abbot of St. Augustine's, Alsi, abbot of Bath, and Turstan, abbot
of Pershore, died. Before the Assumption of St. Mary [15th Aug.],
king William came with an army into France, burned the town
which is called Mathantum [Mantes], and all the churches situated
therein, and two recluses, and thence returned into Normandy ;
but on the journey a dreadful disease of the bowels seized him,
which grew more and more serious from day to day. Now when,
as his sickness became worse, he perceived that the day of his
death was near, he released his brother Odo, bishop of Baieux, earls
Morkar and Roger, Siward, surnamed Barn, and Wulnoth, brother
of king Harold, whom he had kept in confinement from boyhood,
and all whom he had delivered into custody in England or in
Normandy. Then he consigned the kingdom of England to his
son William, and granted the earldom of Normandy to his first-
born Robert, who was then absent in France : and so, supported
by the heavenly viaticum, on the 5th of the ides of September [9th
Sept.], having reigned over England twenty years, ten months, and
twenty-eight days, he rendered up at once his life and his kingdom.
He lies at Caen, in the church of St. Stephen the Protomartyr,
which he himself had built and endowed. His son William
hastened to England, taking with him Wulnoth and Morkar ; but
as soon as he arrived at Winchester, he put them into custody as
before, and on Sunday, the 6th of the kalends of October [26th
Sept.], he was consecrated king at Westminster by Landfranc,
archbishop of Canterbury. Then, returning to Winchester, he
divided the treasure of his father, in pursuance of his commands,
among some of the principal churches of England, giving to some
ten, to others six marks of gold, to others less ; he also com-
X 2
308 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1088.
manded that forty pence should be given to eacli of die churches
in his cities and towns ; and that crosses, akars, shrines, copies of
the Gospels, candlesticks, sacred vessels, pipes [for the wine in the
Holy Communion], and various ornaments, received in exchange
for jewels, gold, silver, and precious stones, should be divided
among the more important churches and monasteries. His brother
Robert also returning into Normandy, liberally divided among the
monasteries, churches, and poor, the treasures which he had found,
and this he did for the repose of his father's soul. Moreover he
released from custody Ulf, son of Harold, once king of the English,
and Duncan, son of Malcolm, king of Scots, and honoured them
with knighthood, and permitted them to depart.
A.D. 1088. In this year great dissension arose between the
nobles of England ; for one part (and that the lesser) of the Nor-
man nobles favoured king William, but the greater part adhered to
Robert, eai'l of Normandy; being desirous of summoning him into
the kingdom, and either of delivering his brother to him alive, or
of depriving him of his power by putting him to death. Tlie
leaders of this execrable business were Odo, bishop of Baieux, wlio
was also earl of Kent, Robert his brother, the earl of Mortain,
both of whom were brothers, by the mother's side only, of king
William the elder. Along with his nephew Robert, earl of North-
umberland, there participated in this design Geoftrey, bishop of
Coutance, Roger, earl of Shrewsbury, and (what was worse still)
William, bishop of Durham ; for at that very time the king was
guided by his sagacity, as if he were a trustworthy adviser, for he
was of good counsel, and by his advice was the whole realm of
England managed. These men had great influence in this land by
reason of their worldly wealth. Every day the multitude of their
fellow-soldiers and accomplices in the conspiracy increased. They
began to discuss this execrable plot during the season of Lent, and
concluded that they could burst into open rebellion after Easter
[iGth April]; for they withdrew themselves from the court, and
fortifying their castles, ravaged the land with fire, sword, and
slaughter. An accursed deed was this, a war worse than a civil
war ! For fathers were fighting against their sons, brothers against
brothers, friends against kinsmen, the aliens against the aliens.
Meanwliile the bishop of Baieux, having fortified Rochester, sent
into Normandy, exhorting earl Robert to come with all speed
into England, informing him of what was being done, and declaring
that a kingdom was ready for him, and, if he were not wanting
to himself, a crown also. Struck with the strange news, the earl
with exultation informed his friends, and, full of triumph, like
one already secure of victor5% spurred on his followers to the
plunder; he sent auxiliaries into P^ngland, to his uncle, bishop
Odo, promising to follow with all sj)eed as soon as he shall have
assembled a larger force. AVlaen they arrived, the defence of
Rochester was entrusted to them by Odo, the command being
assumed by Eustace the younger, carl of Boulogne, and Robert
de Belesmc. When the news of tliis allair reached the ears of
the king, he was troubled with an unusual anxiety; but, relying
A.D. 10S8.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 309
(like a brave man) on his claim to the crown and the courage of
his soldiers, he employed his royal authority and sent messengers
to summon those whom he believed to be faithful to himself, and he
then marched to London to settle the details of the war, and to
provide necessaries for the expedition. Having assembled an army
of horse and foot, though of moderate size, consisting principally
of Englishmen, and of as large a number of Normans as he was
able for the present to collect, and making laws and promising re-
wards to his supporters, he put his trust in the mercy of God. He
determined to march to Rochester, where he heard the army had
assembled in the greatest numbers ; for he had been informed
that bishop Odo was there with his men and the foreign force.
Marching thither, at the very commencement of his journey, he
found that Tunbridge, which was under the command of Gilebert
Fitz Richard, held out against him ; he besieged it, reduced it in
two days, and forced Gilebert, who was wounded, to surrender with
his garrison. The fame of this success reached the ears of Odo,
who, after having held a consultation with his friends, left Rochester,
and proceeded with a few followers to the castle of his brother,
Robert, earl of Mortain, which is called Pevensey. Finding his
brother there, he exhorted him to remain, promising him that
they would be secure, and that while the king was busy in reducing
Rochester, the earl of Normandy would come over with a large
army, would set them and their men at liberty, and would take
possession of the kingdom, after handsomely rewarding all his sup-
porters. The king, having reduced Tunbridge, and accepted the
fealty of the inhabitants, leaving Gilebert behind him by reason of
his wound, and placing the castle under guard, was about to depart
for Rochester, as he had intended, when he heard that his uncle
had left that place and had gone to Pevensey.
Having taken wholesome counsel, he pursued him with his army
as far as Pevensey, hoping that he would more speedily terminate
the war, if he could first subdue the chiefs of the rebellion. He
pushed forward, he prepared his engines, and laid siege to both his
uncles : the position was strongly fortified ; but he laboured daily to
reduce it. Meanwhile, throughout England the storm of war raged
in every direction ; the people of Rochester carried fire and slaughter
against the inhabitants of Canterbury and London ; for archbishop
Landfranc and nearly all the nobles of that province were with the
king. Roger, a partisan of Robert, was in his castle of Arundel,
expecting the arrival of the earl. Geoffrey, bishop of Coutance,
was in Bristol castle, having with him his nephew, Robert de Mul-
bray, an accomplice in his conspiracy and treacheiy, a man skilled
in the art of war, who assembled an army and attacked the city of
Bath, which was on the king's side ; and when he had burned and
plundered it, he then crossed over into Wiltshire, and laid waste the
towns. After a great slaughter of the inhabitants, he at length
reached Ilchester, and laid siege to it, and attempted to reduce it.
Those who were attracted by the hope of plunder and the Lve of
victory, fought outside the town ; those who were within the walls
resisted, having due regard for the safety of their persons and their
310 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. lOSS—
}n-operty. At length the cause of necessity triumphed, and Robert
retired in sorrow, disappointed of the victory. William de Eu
invaded the province of Gloucester, plundered the royal town of
Berkeley, and did great mischief everywhere with fire and sword.
Now, while these evils were being perpetrated on ever)^ side, Bernard
de Newmarket. Roger de Lacy, who had just marched against the
king at Hereford, Ralph de Mortimer, all of them conspirators, with
the men of earl Roger of Shrewsbury, having assembled a great army
of P^nglish, Normans, and Welshmen, made an inroad into the
province of Worcester, declaring that they would burn the city of
Worcester itself, spoil the church of God and St. Mary, and tcike
heavy vengeance on the loyal inhabitants. On hearing this, the
reverend father Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, (a man of great
piety and dove-like simplicity, one beloved of God and the people
whom he ruled in all things, constant and faithful to the king,
as his earthly lord,) was exceedingly troubled ; but soon recovering
confidence by the mercy of God, already, like another Moses, pre-
pared himself to stand manfully by his people and his city. Wliile
they made ready their arms to repel the enemy, he poured forth
supplications for the impending danger, exhorting his people that
they despair not of God's assistance, since He fights neither with
sword nor spear. Meanwhile the Normans taking counsel, entreat
the bishop to remove from the church into the castle, affirming that
they would be the more secure by reason of his presence, if a
greater danger should happen to attack them ; for they loved him
greatly. But he (such was his kindness of disposition) assented
to their request, moved by his fidelity to the king, and his affection
to themselves. Meanwhile the episcopal household was courage-
ously preparing for the contest ; the garrison and the whole of the
citizens assembled, declaring that they would meet the enemy on
the other side of the Severn, provided always that the bishop's
licence be obtained. Being armed and ready, they met him on
his way to the castle, and begged the licence which they desired ;
to whom, assenting freely, " Go," said he, " my children, go in
peace, go in security, with the blessing of God and mine. Trusting
in the Lord, I promise you this day no sword shall injure you, no
mishap, no adversary. Be firm in your allegiance to the king,
manfully fighting for the safety of the people and the city." With
these words, they eagerly crossed the bridge, and beheld the enemy
approaching rapidly at a distance. Among them already raged the
madness of war ; for, despising the commands of the bishop, they
had burnt many portions of his territory. When he heard this, the
bishop was stricken with great sorrow, beholding the destruction of
the property of the church ; and taking counsel, launched against
them, by the advice of all who were present, a heavy anathema. A
wonderful thing, proclaiming most clearly the power of God and tlie
goodness of the man, came to pass : for immediately the enemy, who
were wandering scattered over the fields, were stricken with so great
a weakness in their limbs, and enfeebled by sucli biinchicss of the
outward eye, that they were hardly able to bear their arms ; they
could neither recognise their friends, nor distinguish those who
A.I). 1091.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 311
were attacking them from the opposite party. Wliile blindness
deceived them, confidence in God and the bishop's benediction
comforted our men. So stupified were they that they knew not
how to escape, neither did they seek any means of defence ; but by
the wiU of God, being given over to a reprobate mind, they fell an
easy prey into the hands of their enemies. The footmen were slain,
the horsemen captured — English, Normans, and Welshmen — the
rest just escaping by a feeble flight. Those who were faithful to
the king, along with the household of the bishop, joyfully exulting,
returned without loss to their own homes ; thanking God for the
safety of the property of the church, thanking the bishop for the
wholesomeness of his counsel.
A.D. 1089. Landfranc, archbishop of Canterbury, died on
Thursday, the 9th of the kalends of June [24th May]. In the
same year, on Saturday, the 3d of the ides of August [11th Aug.],
about the third hour, there was a great earthquake throughout all
England.
A.D. 1090. William the younger, the king of England, desirous of
depriving his brother Robert of the province of Normandy, and of
reducing it under his own dominion, took possession first of the
castle of Walter de St.Valery, and the castle of Odo de Albemarle,
and next of other castles, and placed men in them to ravage Nor-
mandy ; seeing which, and having discovered the unfaithfulness of
his allies, earl Robert sent messengers to Philip, king of the French,
his lord, and caused him to come into Normandy, and he and the
king besieged one of the castles in which his brother's soldiers were
stationed. When news of this was brought to king William, he
secretly sent a large sum of money to king Philip, and earnestly
entreated him to raise the siege and to return home.
A.D. 1091. In the month of February, king William went over
to Normandy, in order to take it from his brother Robert ; but
while he was sojourning there peace was concluded between them,
on condition that the earl should freely give up to the king the
earldom of Eu, the monastery of Fechamp, the abbey situated on
Mount St. Michel, Cherbourg, and the castles which had revolted
from him ; that the king on his part should reduce to his obedience
the province of Maine, and the castles in Normandy which were
then resisting earl Robert, should restore their lands in England
to the Normans who had lost them by their adherence to that
earl, and should assign him a certain quantity of land in England
to be agreed upon between them. In addition to this, it was
agreed that if the earl should die without a legitimate son, the king
should be his heir ; and in like manner, if it should happen that
the king died, the earl should be his heir. Twelve barons on the
part of the king, and twelve on the part of the earl, confirmed this
treaty by oath. Meanwhile their brother Henry, with all the
soldiers he was able to get together, entered Mount St. Michel,
some of the monks assisting him ; and he laid waste the king's land,
and captured some and spoiled others of his people. Wherefore
the king and the earl assembled an army, and laid siege to the
Mount, during the whole of the season of Lent, and frequently gave
312 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1091—
battle to the prince, and lost some of their men and horses. But
the king grew tired of the long siege, and withdrew unappeased,
and not long after deprived Eadgar, etheling, of the possessions
which the earl had granted him, and expelled him from Normandy.
Meanwhile, in the month of May, Malcolm, king of Scots, invaded
Northumbria with a great army, intending, if he had good success,
to proceed farther, and to attack the inhabitants of England. But
God decreed that it should not be so, wherefore his attempt was
frustrated ; nevertheless before he returned, the army carried away
with it a considerable spoil out of Northumbria. When the king
heard of this, he returned to England with his brother Robert in
the month of August, and not long after he set out for Scotland,
with a large fleet and an army of horsemen, to subdue king
Malcolm ; but before he reached Scotland, a few days before
Michaelmas [29th Sept.], nearly all the fleet was lost, and many
of his horsemen perished from cold and hunger. King Malcolm
met him in the district of Loidis with his army. Earl Robert
seeing this, summoned to him Eadgar, etheling, whom the king
had expelled from Normandy, and who was then living with the
king of Scots ; and relying on his aid, he concluded a peace
between the two kings, on condition that Malcolm should obey
William in the same manner as he had obeyed his father ; and
that William should restore to Malcolm twelve towns which he
had held under his father in England, and should pay him yearly
the sum of twelve marks of gold. But the peace between them
did not last very long. And the earl also reconciled Eadgar him-
self with the king.
On Thursday, the 1st of the ides of October [15th Oct.], a
violent stroke of lightning struck the tower of Winchcombe church,
making a large hole in the wall near the roof; after having split
one of the beams, it cut off the head of an image of Christ, which
was violently struck and thrown to the ground, and the right leg
broken. An image of St. Mary, which was standing near the
rood, was also struck to the ground. A thick smoke of a stifling
odour then burst forth and tilled the whole church, lasting until
the monks of the house had gone the round of the offices of the
monastery, singing psalms, and bearing holy water and incense and
the relics of the saints. Moreover on Friday, the IGth of the
kalends of November [17th Oct.], a violent whirlwind coming from
the south-west, shook and threw down more than six hundred
houses and very many churches in London. In the church of St.
Mary, called At the Bow, it killed two men, and taking up the
roof and its beams, and whirling it about hither and thither
through the air, at length drove six of the beams, in the same
order as that in which they lay in the roof itself, so deep into the
earth that no more than the seventh or eighth part of them re-
mained visible, their length being as much as twenty-seven or
twenty-eight feet.
After this the king returned from Northumbria through Mercia,
into Wcsscx, and kept the earl with him nearly up to the Nativity
of the Lord [25th Dec], but would not perform the conditions of
A.D. 1093.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 313
the treaty which had been made between them. The earl being
vexed thereat, returned to Normandy on the 10th of the kalends
of January [23d Dec], with Eadgar, etheling. There were, as it
was reported in England, at this time two who called themselves
Roman pontiffs, mutually at variance between themselves, and so
drawing after them the church of God, they divided it internally ;
namely. Urban, first called Odo, bishop of Ostia, and Clement,
who was called Wibert, archbishop of Ravenna : which thing, to
say nothing of the rest of the world, so occupied the attention of
the church of England for many years, that from the time of the
death of Gregory, who was called Hildebrand, up to the present,
the church would obey no man for pope. Italy and Gaul had
already accepted Urban as the vicar of St. Peter.
A.D. 1092. The city of London was almost entirely consumed
by fire. Osmund, bishop of Salisbury, dedicated the church which
he had built in Sarum castle, with the assistance of Walchelin,
bishop of Winchester, and John, bishop of Bath, on Monday, the
nones of April [5th April] . Remigius, who by the licence of king
William the elder had transferred the seat of his bishopric from
Dorchester to Lincoln, was desirous of dedicating the church,
worthy, to become an episcopal see, which he had built there,
because he felt that the day of his death was fast approaching ; but
Thomas, archbishop of York, opposed him, declaring that the
church had been built within his diocese. But king William the
younger, in consideration of money which Remigius had given
him, commanded all the bishops of England to assemble and dedi-
cate the church on the 7th of the ides of May [9th May] ; but
two days before the appointed time, by the hidden judgment of
God, Remigius himself departed from the world, and by reason of
this the dedication of the church was postponed. Wlien this had
been done, the king went into Northumbria, and repaired the city
which is called in the British language Cairleu, and in Latin
Lugubalia [Carlisle], and built a castle therein ; for this city,
like some others in those parts, had been destroyed two hundred
years before by the pagan Danes, and had remained deserted up
to this time.
A.D. 1093. King Wilham the younger, being stricken with a
serious illness in the royal vill called Alwestan, hastened to
Gloucester, and lay there in a feeble state through the whole of
Lent. When he thought that he was on the verge of the grave, as
his barons also intimated to him, he promised to God that he would
amend his life, that he would no more sell nor tax the churches,
but that he would defend them by his royal power, that he would
repeal unrighteous laws, and enact those which were righteous.
Moreover he gave to Anselm, abbot of Bee, who was then staying
in England, the archbishopric of Canterbury, and to his chan-
cellor Robert, surnamed Bloet, the bishopric of Lincoln. But it
was not permitted to Anselm to receive anything from the arch-
bishopric, beyond that which the king had commanded to be given
to him, until the tribute, which he had received from it every year
since the death of Landfranc, should be fully discharged. Res,
314 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1093—
king of the Welch, during the Easter week, was slain in battle near
the castle of Brecknock. From that day kings ceased to reign in
Wales. Malcolm, king of Scots, on the day of the feast of St.
Bartholomew Apostle [24tli Aug.], met the king in the city of
Gloucester, as had previously been agreed upon by their ambas-
sadors, in order that the peace between them might be renewed,
and a firm friendship established, as some of the nobles of England
desired ; but each of them departed before any reconciliation had
taken place : for William disdained, by reason of his excessive
pride and pomp, either to see Malcolm or to speak with him.
Moreover he desired to compel him to do him homage in his o\m
court, according to the judgment of his own barons only ; but
Malcolm was by no means willing to do this, except in the confines
of his own kingdom, where the kings of Scotland were accustomed
to do homage to the kings of England, and according to the judg-
ment of the chief men of both kingdoms. After this a very
wonderful sign appeared in the sun ; and Roger, earl of Shrews-
bury, and Guy, abbot of the monastery of St. Augustine, and Paul,
abbot of the monastery of St. Alban, died. In the same year also
died Robert, earl of Flanders, a man of great valour ; and his eldest
son Robert succeeded him. Malcolm, king of Scots, and his
eldest son Eadward, with many others, were slain in Northumbria
on the feast of St. Brice [13th Nov.], by the soldiers of Robert,
earl of Northumbria. When she heard of their death, Margaret,
queen of Scots, was so heavily affected with sorrow, that she sud-
denly fell into a serious sickness. Without delay, she summoned
the priests, entered the church, and having confessed her sins to
them, caused herself to be anointed with oil and strengthened with
the heavenly viaticum, beseeching God with the most earnest and
heartfelt prayers, that He would not suffer her to live longer in
this world of trouble. Nor was it veiy long before her prayers
were heard ; for in three days after the death of the king, she was
released from the bonds of the flesh, and passed (as we believe) to
the joys of eternal salvation. Wliile she lived, she was a faithful
labourer in deeds of piety, justice, peace, and charity ; she was
frequent in prayer ; she kept her body in subjection by vigils and
fastings ; she endowed churches and monasteries, loved and
honoured the ser\'ants and handmaidens of God, broke bread to
the hungry, clothed the naked, gave lodging, clothing, and food to
the strangers who came to her, and loved God with all her soul.
After her death, the Scots chose Donald, brother of king Malcolm,
for their king, and drove out of Scotland all the English who were
of the king's court. When he heard these things, Duncan, son of
king Malcolm, besought and entreated king William, under whom
he then served, to grant him his father's kingdom, and swore
allegiance to him ; and so he hastened into Scotland with a multi-
tude of English and Normans, and expelled his uncle Donald from
the kingdom, and then reigned in his stead. Then some of the
Scots assembled, and murdered nearly all his men, and he himself
with difficulty escaped with a few. But after this they suffered
him to reign, on condition that he would introduce no more
A.D. 1091.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 315
English or Normans into Scotland, and would permit them to serve
him. Nearly all the bishops of England assembling, among whom
Thomas, archbishop of York, was the chief, they consecrated as
their archbishop Anselm, abbot of Bee, on the day before the
nones of December [4th Dec.]. In the same year WiUiam, earl
of Eu, overcome by a great greed of gold, and seduced by the
magnitude of the honour which was promised, deserted from his
natural lord Robert, earl of Normandy, to whom he had sworn
fealty, and coming to England to king William, that great traitor
surrendered himself to his power.
A.D. 1094. Arfast, who had been first the chaplain to William
when earl, and then to William when king, and in process of time
bishop of Hereford, being now dead, as well as his successor
William, Herbert, surnamed Losinga (an appellation which his
power of flatteiy had lately obtained for him), from being prior of
Fechamp and abbot of Ramesey, was made bishop of Thetford by
purchasing the see ; his father Robert, with the same surname,
being intruded on the abbacy of Winchester. But repentance
wiped out the erring impulse of youth ; for proceeding to Rome
in his stricter years, and there laying aside the simoniacal staff and
ring of his office, by the indulgence of that merciful see he was
again permitted to receive them. But when he returned home, he
translated his episcopal seat to a town renowned for its trade and
resort, called Norwich, and instituted there a congregation of
monks. King Wilham went to Hastings, and caused to be dedicated
there the church of Battle, and afterwards returned to Normandy;
he came to a conference with his brother according to the terms of
the peace established between them, but departed unappeased. The
earl proceeded to Rouen. The king returned to Eu, and took up
his quarters there, and having assembled soldiers from all parts by
bribes and promises of gold, silver, and lands, he induced the
nobles of Normandy to desert his brother Robert, and surrender
themselves and their castles into his power ; and as they were ready
to do his will, he distributed his soldiers over the castles, as well
those which he formerly possessed as those which he now had
pui'chased. Meanwhile he took the castle called Bures, and sent
some of the earl's men who were taken in it to England there to
be imprisoned ; and others he confined in Normandy ; and in
many ways vexing his brother, he strove to disinherit him. But
Robert, driven by necessity, brought his lord, Philip king of the
French, with his army into Normandy ; and the king besieged the
castle of Argentan, and on the veiy day of the commencement of
the siege, captured without shedding a drop of blood, seven
hundred of the king's knights, with twice as many esquires, and
all the garrison in the castle, and commanded them to be kept
prisoners until they were ransomed ; after which he returned to
France. But earl Robert besieged the castle of La Houlme,
until William Peverel, and eight hundred men who were defending
it, surrendered to him. Wlien this was made known to the king,
he sent messengers into England, and ordered twenty thousand
footmen to be despatched into Normandy for his assistance.
316 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGI AND. [a.D. 1095.
When they were assembled at Hastings, preparing to cross the
sea, Ralph Passeflambard, by order of the king, took away the
money which had been given to them for their support, namely
ten shillings each, and commanded them to march home again ;
the money he sent over to the king. Meanwhile all England
was vexed by a heavy and unremitting tax, and by a mortality
among the inhabitants, during the present and following year.
In addition, first the North Welch and then the West and South
Welch, threw off the yoke of slavery with which they had long
been weighed down, and thus gaining confidence they strove to
regain their liberty. A multitude of them assembled and destroyed
the castles which had been fortified in West Wales, burned many
towns in the counties of Chester, Shropshire, and Hereford,
carried off spoil, and put to death many of the English and
Normans. They also destroyed the castle in the Isle of Man, and
reduced the island itself to subjection. Meanwhile the Scots
treacherously put to death their king Duncan, and some others, by
the advice and persuasion of Donald, and again appointed him
their king. After this king William, on the 4th of the kalends of
January [29th Dec], returned to England, and led an army into
Wales to subdue the Welch, and lost there many men and horses.
A.D. 1095. The venerable and excellent man Wulfstan, bishop
of the holy church of Worcester, from youth set apart to the ser-
vice of God, after many hard struggles, by which (for the sake of
gaining the glory of the heavenly kingdom), with great devoutness
and humility, he had earnestly served God, in the night of Saturday
the 18th of January, in the middle of the seventh hour, departed
this life, in the year 5299 from the beginning of the world, according
to the certain evidence of holy Scripture, in the 529th of the nintli
great cycle, in the 476th of the ninth cycle from the beginning of
the world, in the 1084th from the passion of the Lord according
to the Gospel, and the 1066th according to the calculation of Beda,
according to Dionysius 1061, in the 741st from the arrival of the
Angles in Britain, in the 498th from the arrival of St. Augustine, in
the 103d from the death of St. Oswald archbishop, in the 302d of
the eleventh great paschal cycle, and in the 502d of the tenth from
the beginning of the world, in the 4tli of the second solar cycle, in
the 3d of the bissextile cycle, in the 13th of the second of the cycle
of 19 years, in the 10th of the second lunar cycle, in the 5tli of the
hcndecad, in the 3d of the indictional cycle, in the 18th lustrum of his
own life, and in the 3d year of the 7th lustrum of his pontificate.
In a wonderful manner, in the very hour of his departure, he
appeared in a vision to that friend of his whom he had especially
loved, Robert, bishop of Hereford, in the town called Cricklade,
and commanded him to hasten to Worcester in order to bury him.
God suffered no man to remove from his finger the ring along with
which he had received the pontifical benediction, that after death
the holy man might not seem to deceive his people, for he had
often said to them that he would never lose it during his life, nor
even on the day of his burial.
On the day before the nones of April [4th April], at niuht, stars
A.D. 1095.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 317
were seen, as it were, to fall from the sky. Walter, bishop of
Albano, legate of the holy Roman church, sent by pope Urban,
came to England before Easter, bringing the pall for which king
William had sent in the preceding year ; and, according to agree-
ment, on Sunday, the 4th of the ides of June [10th June], it was
laid by him on the altar of the blessed Saviour at Canterbury,
thence it was taken by Anselm, and humbly kissed by all in
reverence to St. Peter. Robert, bishop of Hereford, a man of great
piety, died on Tuesday, the 6th of the kalends of July [26th June].
Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, on the 30th day after his departure
out of this world, reappeared to him in a vision, and sharply repri-
manded him for his negligence and idleness, admonishing him to
apply himself to the reformation of his own life and that of the
people committed to his charge, as watchfully as he was able ; and
that if he would do this, he told him that he would soon obtain a
pardon from God for all his sins. And he added that he would
not long sit in the seat in which he then sat, but that if he would
be more watchful, he should feast with him in the presence of God.
For both these fathers were mutually attached to one another by
strong affection in the love of God ; and therefore it is credible
that he who had first gone from this life to God should feel a
solicitude for the beloved one whom he had left in the world, and
should have done his utmost endeavour that they both might the
more speedily rejoice together in the presence of God.
Robert de Mowbray, earl of Northumberland, and William de
Eu, with many others, made an attempt to deprive king William
of his kingdom and his life, and to establish Stephen de Albemarle,
the son of his aunt, on his throne, but without success : for the
king, as soon as he knew it, assembled his army from every part of
England, and besieged for two months the castle of the aforesaid
Robert, which was situated near the mouth of the river Tyne.
Meanwhile, by the capture of a small fortress, he made prisoners
of nearly all the best soldiers of the earl, and put them into con-
finement. Then he took the castle itself, and placed into safe
custody the brother of the earl and the knights, whom he found
within. After this he raised a castle before Bamburgh, that is, the
city of Queen Bebba, into which the earl had escaped, and this he
called Malveisin, and having garrisoned it, returned to the countiy
south of the Humber. After his departure, they who were
watching at Newcastle, promised earl Robert that they would
allow him to enter, if he would come secretly. And he joyfully
acceded, and went out by night for the purpose with thirty men.
This becoming known, the knights who kept the castle followed
him, and sent messengers to the guard of Newcastle to inform
them of his departure ; being ignorant of this, on the Lord's-day
he made his attempt, which failed, for he was detected. Wliere-
fore he fled to the monastery of St. Oswin, king and martyr,
where, on the 6th day of the siege, he was severely wounded in the
leg, while engaged in resisting the enemy, of whom many were
killed and many wounded ; while of his own men some were
wounded and all taken prisoners, he himself taking refuge in a
318 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 109G—
church, from which he was brought forth and placed in con-
linement. Meanwhile the Welch destroyed the castle of Mont-
gomery, and put to death some of the men of Hugh, earl of
Shrewsbury, who were there. The king, enraged at this, speedily
commanded an invasion, and led an army into Wales after the
feast of St. Michael [29th Sept.], where he lost many men and
horses. Returning thence, he ordered earl Robert to be brought
before Bamborough, and commanded his eyes to be put out, unless
his wife and his kinsman Moreal would surrender his castle. And
this they did, being compelled by such a necessity. Whereupon the
earl was sent to Windsor, put in close confinement, and Moreal
disclosed the cause of his treason to the king.
A.D. 1096. William, bishop of Durham, died at Windsor in
the court of the king on Wednesday, being the kalends of January
[1st Jan.], but was buried at Durham. In the octave of the Epi-
phany [13th Jan.] a council was holden at Salisbury, where the
king condemned William de Eu, who had been vanquished in
duel, to lose his eyes, and to be emasculated ; he ordered also that
his steward William de Alderi, the son of his aunt, and privy to his
treason, should be hanged ; and he placed in confinement earl Odo of
Champagne, the father of Stephen aforesaid, Philip, the son of Roger,
earl of Shrewsbury, and some others concerned in his treason.
Pope Urban came into France, and holding a synod at Clermont
during Lent, exhorted the Christians to make an expedition to
Jerusalem to subdue the Turks, Saracens, Turcopolites, and other
pagans ; and in the very synod itself, Raymond, earl of St. Giles,
and many with him, were forthwith signed with the cross of
Christ, and solemnly vowed to undertake the pilgrimage for the
love of God, and to accomplish what the pope had exhorted.
When this was heard, the rest of the christian world dwelling in
Italy, Germany, France, England, vied with each other in pre-
paring for the expedition. Their leaders were Aymer, bishop of
Le Puy, the bishop of Ostia, with many other bishops, Peter the
monk, Hugh the Great, the brother of Philip, king of France, God-
frey, duke of Lorrain, Stephen, earl of Chartres, Robert, earl of
Normandy, Robert, earl of Flanders, the two brothers of duke
Godfrey, Eustace, earl of Boulogne, and Baldwin, earl Raymond
aforesaid, and Boemund, son of Robert Wiscard.
Samson was consecrated as bishop of Worcester by Anselm, arch-
bishop of Canterbury, at London, in the church of St. Paul, on
Sunday, the 17th of the kalends of July [15th June].
After this Robert, earl of Normandy, when intending to set out
for Jerusalem with the other crusaders, sent messengers to England,
and besought his kinsman king William to renew the peace between
them, and to lend him ten thousand marks of silver, as security for
which he was willing that he should have the province of Normandy.
In order to meet his demands, William commanded that each of
the nobles of England should lend liim money in proportion to his
ability, as speedily as possible. Wherefore the bishops, abbots,,
abbesses, broke up the gold and silver ornaments of their churches,
the carls, barons, and sheritis spoiled their knights and villeins.
A.D. 1098.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 319
and presented the king with a large sum of money. And WiUiam
crossed the sea in the month of September, made peace with his
brother, lent him six thousand six hundred and sixty -six pounds,
and received Normandy as security.
A.D. 1097. William, king of the English, returned to England
during Lent ; and after Easter [5th April] he invaded Wales for the
second time with an army of horsemen and infantry, intending to
massacre all the male inhabitants ; but he was unable to capture or
kill any one of them, but lost some of his own men, and many horses.
After this he sent Eadgar, etheling, with an army into Scotland, to
expel his uncle Donald who had usurped the throne, and to
establish in his stead Eadgar, son of king Malcolm, his cousin.
The Christians took the city of Nice on Saturday, the 13th of the
kalends of July [19th June]. A star, called a comet, was visible
for fifteen days from the 3d of the kalends of October [29th Sept.].
Some affirmed that they saw at that time a strange sign in the
heavens, as it were burning, and in the form of a cross. Soon
after a dissension arose between the king and archbishop Anselm,
because from the time at which he had been made archbishop, he had
not been suffered to hold a synod, nor to correct the evil practices
which had grown up throughout England; the latter crossed the
sea, and after having remainedfor a time in France, he proceeded to
Rome to pope Urban. The king himself, about the feast of St. An-
drew [30th Nov.], set out from England into Normandy. Baldwin,
abbot of the monastery of St. Edmund, a man of exceeding piety,
by birth a Frenchman, and well skilled in the art of medicine, died
in a good old age on Tuesday, the 4th of the kalends of January [29th
Dec], and rests in the middle of the choir in the principal church.
A.D. 1098. Walchelin, bishop of Winchester, died on Sunday,
the 3d of the nones of Januaiy [3d Jan.]. And Thurold, abbot of
the monastery of St. Peter of Burh, and Robert, abbot of New-
minster, died. In the summer, William the younger, king of the
English, reduced the city of Maine, and a great part of that pro-
vince. Meanwhile, Hugh, earl of Chester, and Hugh, earl of
Shrewsbury, invaded the island of Mevania, commonly called
Anglesege, with an army, and slew many of the Welch whom
they captured therein, and blinded others, having previously cut
off" their hands and feet ; and then emasculated them. And
they brought forth from his church a certain priest, advanced
in years, named Kenned, from whom the Welch received advice
in the matters in which they were engaged ; and having emas-
culated him and put out one of his eyes, they cut off his
tongue ; but on the third day, by the mercy of God, his speech
w^as restored to him. At that time Magnus, king of Norway,
son of king Olave, son of king Harold Hardrada, after having
subdued the Orkneys, came hither with a small fleet. Wlien he
was attempting to land, Hugh, earl of Shrewsbury, came out against
him with a large force on the very sea-shore, and, as it is reported,
he fell, having been hit by an arrow sent from the hand of the king,
about seven days after he had so cruelly treated the aforesaid priest.
The city of Antioch was taken by the Christians on Wednesday,
320 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1099—
the 3d of the nones of June [3d June], where, after a few days,
the spear with which the Saviour of the world was pierced while
suspended on the cross (being revealed by Andrew the apostle, the
mildest of saints), was discovered in the church of St. Peter the
apostle. Tlie Christians, filled with courage by this discovery, on
Monday, the 4th of the kalends of July [28th June], took with
them the spear, sallied out of the city, and giving battle to the
Pagans, drove back at the point of the sword Curbara, chief of
the chivalry of the soldan of Persia, Turks, Arabs, Saracens,
Publicans, Azimati, Persians, Agulani, and the people of
many other nations ; they put many thousands of them to death,
and by the blessing of God gained a complete victoiy. An
unusual light continued to shine during nearly the whole of the
night of the 5th of the kalends of October [27th Sept.]. In the
same year the bones of the king and martyr Canute were taken out
of the tomb, and placed in a shrine with honour. Roger, duke of
Apulia, having assembled a large army, besieged the city of Capua,
which had revolted from him. Pope Urban, accompanied in
obedience to his command by Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury,
proceeded to the council which he intended to hold at Bari on the
kalends of October [1st Oct.], in which council many points of
catholic faith were discussed by the successor of the apostles with
eloquence and reason. Here a question being mooted on the
part of the Greeks (who were desirous to prove by the authority of
the evangelists that the Holy Spirit proceeded only from the Father),
the aforesaid Anselm so discussed, argued, and summed up the
question, that there was no one in the council who did not admit
that he was fully satisfied.
A.D. 1099. Pope Urban, in the 3d day in Easter week [10th
April], held a great council at Rome, in which various laws having
been repealed, and new ones enforced against the enemies of holy
church, with the consent of the whole council he launched the
sentence of excommunication against all laymen giving and all
persons receiving at their hands the investitures of churches, and
against all those who should consecrate any one to the discharge of
the duties of a preferment so given. He also excommunicated all
those who subjected themselves to laymen out of regard to any
ecclesiastical dignity ; for he said that it was accursed, that hands
which had been exalted to so lofty an eminence as to create by their
impress the all-creating God (a power granted to none of the
angels), and to ofter Him, for the salvation and redemption of the
whole world, in the presence of the most high God the Father,
should be debased to such a depth of ignominy as to become in
subjection to the hands of those persons who day and night are
polluted by immodest contacts, or defiled by the unlawful effusion
of blood and by rapine. " So be it, so be it," was exclaimed by
all, and so with this the council finished. After this the arch-
bishop proceeded to Lyons.
William the younger, king of the English, returned from Nor-
mandy into England, and held a comt in the feast of Pentecost [29th
May], and gave the bishopric of Durham to Ralph, whom he had
A.n. 1100.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 321
appointed extortioner over the whole kingdom, and whom Tliomas,
archbishop of York, soon after consecrated there. On Thursday,
the ides of July [15th July], Jerusalem was taken by the Christians,
and afterwards on the 11th of the kalends of August [22d July], on
the same day of the week, Godfrey, duke of Lorraine, was elected
king by all the army. Pope Urban died on Thursday, the 4th of
the kalends of August [29th July]. The Christians fought a battle
with Amiravis, the commander of the army, and second in power
in the kingdom of the king of Babylon, before the city of Ascalon,
the day before the ides of August [12th Aug.], on the same day of
the week, and by the blessing of Christ he obtained the victory.
Paschal, a venerable man, who had been ordained priest by pope
Hildebrand, was elected pope by the people of Rome on the ides
of August [13th Aug.], and on the following day, namely, on Sun-
day the 19th of the kalends of September [14th Aug.], was conse-
crated. On the 3d nones of November [3d Nov.], the sea rose
over the shore and overwhelmed many towns, drowning men and
innumerable oxen and sheep. Osmund, bishop of Salisbury, died
on the 3d nones of December [3d Dec.].
A.D. 1100. Pope Clement, who was also called Wibert, died.
On Sunday, the ides of July [15th July], the church which abbot
Serlo, of pious memory, had constructed from its foundation at
Gloucester, was dedicated with great honour by bishops Samson of
Gloucester, Gundulf of Rochester, Gerard of Hereford, and
Harvey of Bangor. On Thursday, the 4th of the nones of August
[2d Aug.], in the eighth indiction, William the younger, king of
England, while engaged in hunting in the New Forest, which is
called Ytene in the English tongue, was struck and killed by an
arrow, carelessly aimed by a Frenchman, Walter, surnamed Tirell ;
and he was brought to Winchester, and buried in the old minster
in the church of St. Peter. And no wonder, if (as common report
afhrms) the Almighty should thus have exhibited his power and
his anger. For in times long past, (for instance, during the reigns
of king Edward, and the other kings of England his predecessors,)
this same tract of land abounded in churches and in inhabitants
who honoured God ; yet this notwithstanding, by command of
king William the elder the men were expelled, their houses reduced
almost to ruins, and the churches destroyed, and thus the land was
rendered fit only for the habitation of wild beasts; and hence, as it
is believed, the cause of this misfortune. For even the brother of
William the younger, namely Richard, had fallen long before in the
same forest; and a short time before, his cousin Richard, the son of
Robert earl of Normandy, while he was hunting, was also killed by
an arrow, shot by one of his knights. In the place where the king
fell, in former times a church had been built, but it was destroyed,
as we have said, in the time of his father.
During the reign of this king, (as we have partly mentioned
above,) many signs appeared in the sun, moon, and stars; the sea
often overflowed the shore, drowning men and cattle, and destroy-
ing many towns and houses; in the district called Barrucsire, a
short time before his death, blood flowed from a fountain for three
322 CHURCH historians of England. [a.d. llOl—
weeks; and the devil frequently appeared in the woods in a horrible
form to many Normans, and spoke with them much concerning
the king, and Ralph, and some others. Nor is it to be wondered
at; for in their time law was almost silenced, and money ruled
supreme in all appeals to justice. In their time, some men obeyed
the will of the king rather than justice; and Ralph — disregarding
the ecclesiastical law and all the rules of his order, for he was a
priest, — received from the king, first the abbeys, and then the
bishoprics, whose pastors had recently died, that he might put
them up for sale ; and from this source he was enabled to pay a large
sum of money annually to the king, and as his cunning and shrewd-
ness were great, in a short time he so increased, that the king ap-
pointed him pleader and taxer for the whole kingdom. When he
had at length acquired this power, he pillaged all the richer English -
inen in the kingdom, by depriving them of their goods and lands :
and he unceasingly oppressed the poorer by a heavy and unjust tax,
and, in many ways, — both before he obtained his bishopric and
even while he possessed it, — did he vex both great and small, even
up to the time of the king's decease ; for on the very day of his
death, he held in his own hands the archbishopric of Canterbury,
and the bishoprics of Winchester and Salisbury. This king reigned
thirteen years, all but thirty-eight days; his younger brother Henry
succeeded him; and on Sunday, the nones of August [5th Aug.],
was consecrated king in Westminster, by INIaurice, bishop of
London. On the day of his consecration he made free the holy
church of God, which in his brother's time had been sold and
placed to farm; he removed all the evil customs and unjust
exactions, by which the kingdom of England had been oppressed ;
he estabhshed a firm peace in his dominions, and commanded its
preservation ; he restored the law of king Eadward to all in
common, with the emendations which his father had made; but he
retained in his own hands the forests, which he had established and
of which he had taken possession. Not long after he committed
to custody in the Tower of London, Ralph, bishop of Durham, and
recalled Anselm, archbishop of Canterbuiy, from France. Mean-
while Robert, earl of Flanders, and Eustace, earl of Boulogne,
returned home from Jerusalem, and were followed by Robert, earl
of Normandy, with his wife, whom he had married in Sicily.
During this, Henry, king of England, assembled the chief men of
England at London, and took to wife Mathilda, daughter of Mal-
colm, king of the Scots, and queen Margaret; she was consewated
queen and crowned by Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury. On
Sunday, being the feast of St. Martin [11th Nov.], Thomas, arch-
bishop of York, a man of venerated memor)% and extraordinary
piety, affable and beloved by all, departed this lil'e at York, on
Sunday, the 14th of the kalends of December [18th Nov.], and
was succeeded by Gerhard, bishop of Hereford.
A.D. 1101. Ralph, bishop of Durham, after Christmas, with
great cunning made his escape from prison, crossed the sea, and
going over to Robert, count of Normandy, persuaded him to invade
England. And many of the nobles of this land sent messengers to
A.D. 1102.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF V/ORCESTER. 323
him, and prayed him to come speedily to England, promising him
tlie crown of England. The city of Gloucester was consumed hy
fire, with the chief monastery, and others, on Friday, the 8th of
the ides of June [6th June]. Robert, earl of Normandy, assembled
a sreat number of horsemen, archers, and footmen, and collected
his ships at a place called in the Norman tongue, Ultresporte.
Wlien the king gained intelligence of this, he ordered his sailors to
guard the sea, and to see that no one approached England from the
coast of Normandy. And having assembled an immense army from
the whole of England, he encamped not far from Hastings in
Sussex ; for he thought for certain that his brother would land on
that part of the coast. But by the advice of bishop Ranulph, earl
Robert so worked upon the minds of some of the king's sailors by
promises of all kinds, that, setting aside their allegiance, they
deserted to his enemies, and became their pilots to England. All
being ready, Robert embarked with his army, and about the feast
of St. Peter ad Vincula [1st Aug.], he landed in a place called
Portesmuth; and straightway marching his army to Winchester,
he encamped in a convenient position. Wlien his arrival was
known, some of the English nobles deserted to him, as they had
previously intended ; others concealed their intentions and remained
with the king; but the bishops, the mercenary soldiers, and the
English remained faithful to him, agreeing among themselves that
they were ready to go to battle with him. The wiser men of both
sides, having taken wholesome counsel together, brought about a
peace between the brothers, on condition that the king should pay
annually to the earl a sum of three thousand marks, that is, two
thousand pounds of silver, and should restore freely to every one
the honours which he had formerly possessed in England and
might have lost by reason of his allegiance to the earl; while it was
agreed that Robert should make restitution to all who had been
deprived of honours in Normandy in the king's cause, and this he
was to do free of all cost. The peace being concluded, the king's
army returned home ; but part of the earl's returned to Normandy,
and part remained with him in England. Godfrey, king of Jeru-
salem, the powerful duke of Lorraine, son of Eustace the elder,
earl of Boulogne, died, and lies buried in the church of the
Golgotha. After his death, the Christians unanimously chose his
brother Baldwin for their king. Robert de Belesme, earl of
Shrewsbury, son of earl Roger, began to fortify with a wide, deep,
and lofty wall, the bridge which Aegelfled, queen of the Mercians,
had built during the reign of her brother Eadward the elder, on
the western bank of the river Severn, in a place called in the Saxon
tongue, Brycge. And this he did agamst the king, as the issue
proved. He commenced the construction of another also in Wales,
in a place called Caroclove.
A.D. 1102. The aforesaid Robert, earl of Belesme, who at that
time governed the county of Ponthieu, and possessed many castles
in Normandy, fortified strongly, against king Henry, the city of
Shrewsbuiy, the castle therein, and the castles of Arundel and
Tyckyll, supplying them with provisions, machines, arms, horse-
324 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1103—
soldiers, and footmen. He also hastened the completion of the
walls and towers of the castles of Brycge and Caroclove, by
carrying on the works night and day ; and he excited the
Welchmen, who were in subjection to him, to the more prompt,
faithful, and speedy performance of his wishes, by awarding to
them with a liberal hand honours, lands, horses, arms, and gifts
of all sorts. His project, however, was speedily interrupted, for
his designs being discovered and clearly published, the king de-
clared him to be a public enemy. Wherefore, having assembled
together as many Welchmen and Normans as they could muster,
he and his brother Arnold laid waste a part of the county of
Stafford, and carried away into Wales many horses and cattle, and
some few men. But the king without delay besieged his castle
of Arundel, and after having erected fortresses before it, he went
away. Then he commanded Robert, bishop of Lincoln, to besiege
Tyckyll with a part of his forces; and he himself besieged Brycge
with the army of nearly all England, and began to construct there
machines and a fortress. Meanwhile he very easily bribed the
Welch, by moderate presents, in whom Robert had great confidence,
to break their oaths, and to desert from him and join against him.
Within thirty days the city and all the castles having been sur-
rendered, he subdued his enemy Robert and drove him igno-
miniously out of England; and punished his brother Arnold shortly
afterwards for his perfidy by a similar expulsion.
After this the king was at London, at Michaelmas [29th Sept.],
with all his nobles, ecclesiastical and secular; where he invested
two of the clergy with bishoprics, namely, Roger, his chancellor,
with the see of Salisbury, and Roger, his larderer, with that of
Hereford. Here also archbishop Anselm held a great council on
questions pertaining to the christian faith, in which he associated
with himself Gerard, archbishop of York, Maurice, bishop of
London, William, bishop elect of Winchester, Robert, bishop of
Lincoln, Samson, bishop of Worcester, Robert, bishop of Chester,
John, bishop of Bath, Herbert, bishop of Norwich, Ralph, bishoj)
of Chichester, Gundulf, bishop of Rochester, Harvey, bishop of
Bangor, and the two recently invested bishops, viz. Roger, bishop
of Salisbury, and Roger, bishop of Hereford ; Osbcrn, bishop
of Exeter, was detained by infirmity, and unable to attend the
meeting. In this council many abbots, both French as well as
English, were deposed and deprived of the preferments of which
they had unjustly become possessed, or in which they had lived
unrighteously ; namely, Guy, abbot of Pershore, Aldwin of Ramsey,
the al)])ot of Tavistock, Haimoe of Cerne, the abbot of Micelenei,
Aegelric of Middleton, Godric of Peterborough, Richard of p]ly,
Robert of St. Edmund's. Roger, bishop elect of Hereford,
aforesaid, was taken ill at London, and died; and the queen's
chancellor, named Reignelm, was promoted in his stead by a
similar investiture. Henry, king of the English, gave Mary, the
queen's sister, in marriage to Eustace, earl of Boulogne.
A.D. 1103. A great dissension arose between king Henry and
archbishop Anselm, the archbishop refusing to consent to the
A.D. 1104.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 325
giving of investitures by the king, and to consecrate or com-
municate with those to whom the king had ah'eady given churches,
because the apostohc pope had interdicted this as well to himself
as to all others. "Wlierefore the king commanded Gerard, the
archbishop of York, to consecrate the bishops to whom he had
given investitures, namely, William Giffard and Roger, who
was his chaplain, to whom the king had already given the
church of Salisbury. Gerard performed the command of the
king, but William set both that and the benediction of arch-
bishop Gerard at defiance, having regard to the justice of the
case. Wherefore, by the command of the king, he was despoiled
of all his possessions and sent out of the kingdom ; the others
remained unconsecrated. But Reignelm shortly before this had
surrendered the bishopric of Hereford to the king, believing that he
had given offence to God in receiving the investiture of a church
from the hands of a layman. After this the king held his court in
Easter [29th March],' at Winchester. Archbishop Anselm, after
the many insults and contumelies of all kinds which he had suf-
fered, by the request of the king proceeded to Rome on the 5th of
the kalends of May [27th April], in accordance with an agreement
made between himself and the king, taking in his suite William,
bishop elect of Winchester, and the abbots who had been deprived
of their abbeys, namely, Richard, abbot of Ely, and Aldwin of
Ramsey. Robert, earl of Normandy, came into England to confer
with his brother, and before he returned he remitted to William the
three thousand marks of silver which that king was bound to pay
annually to him according to their agreement. In the province
called Berkshire, in a place called Heamstede, blood was seen by
many to flow out of the. ground. In the same year, on the 3d ides
of August [ilth Aug.], a great storm of wind arose, which caused
damage to the fruits of the earth throughout England, such as the
men then alive had never seen in past times.
A.D. 1104. Walter, abbot of Evesham, died on the 13th of the
kalends of February [20th Jan.], and Serlo, abbot of Gloucester, on
the 4th nones of March [4th March]. Henry, king of the English,
held his court at Westminster at Whitsuntide. On Tuesday, the
7th of the ides of June [7th June], four circles of a white colour
were seen round the sun, about the sixth hour, one under the
other, as if they had been painted. All who saw it marvelled,
because such things had never been seen before by any one of
them. William, earl of Moreton, was disinherited of all the land
which he possessed in England. It would be difficult to describe
the misery which the land suffered at that time by reason of the
exactions of the king. The body of St. Cuthbert the bishop, by
reason of the incredulity of certain abbots, during the pontificate of
bishop Ralph, was exhumed, and it, as well as the head of St.
Oswald, king and martyr, and of St. Beda, and the relics of many
saints, was found to be evidently uncorrupted. This was done by
Ralph, abbot of Seez, afterwards bishop of Rochester, and by the
brethren of Durham, in presence of earl Alexander, brother of Eadgar,
king of Scots, afterwards king. And because it was permitted to
326 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND, [.v.D. 1105—
him to be present at so sacred a ceremony, he gave many mai'ks of
gold and silver, and caused to be prepared a shrine, in which the sacred
body, enveloped in new vestments, was honourably preserved.
A.D. 1105. King Henry crossed the sea, and nearly all the
Norman nobles, as soon as he arrived, despising the earl, their
lord, and unmindful of the allegiance which they owed him, grasped
the gold and silver which the king had brought with him out of
England, and surrendered to him their castles and the fortified
cities and towns. And he burned Bayeux and the church of St.
Mary there, and took Caen from his brother ; he then returned to
England, because he wa& unable to reduce the whole of Normandy,
intending however to return next year with a larger sup})ly of
money, and subdue the remainder, to the disinheritance of his
brother. Earl William de Moreteon injured the property and
men of the king, wherever he could lay hands on them, in revenge
for the loss of his possessions in iLngland.
A.D. 1106. Robert, earl of Normandy, came to England to
confer with his brother Henry, whom he found at Northampton.
Then the earl requested him to restore what he had taken from
him in Normandy ; but the king said no to everything ; and the
earl retired enraged, and crossed the sea. In the Friday of the
first week of Lent, the 14th of the kalends of March [16th Feb.],
in the evening, an extraordinary star appeared, and shone for
twenty-five days, in the same form and at the same hour, between
the south and west. It was itself small and dim, but the light
which issued from it was exceedingly clear, and a brilliancy like a
large beam darted into the star itself from the east and north.
Many affirmed that they saw at that time several extraordinary
stars. On Holy Thursday two moons were visible at night, shortly
before daybreak, one in the east and one in the west, both being
full, and on that day the moon was fourteen days old. In this
year arose a most execrable dissension between the emperor of
Germany and his son. Henry, king of England, crossed the sea
before the month of August, proceeding into Normandy, and
nearly all the Norman chiefs surrendered to him, except Robert de
Belesme, William de Moreteon, and a few others who remained
steady to earl Robert.
Henry, king of England, on the Assumption of St. Mary [15th
Aug.], came to Bee, where he and archbishop Anselm met, and all
the disputes which had hitherto divided them at length came to a
peaceable termination. Not long after this the archbishop, by the
command and request of the king, returned to England. An army
was assembled, and the king marched to a castle belonging to the
earl of Moreteon, called Tenercebrei, and besieged it. Wliile he was
thus engaged, earl Robert, the king's brother, came up against him
with his army on the vigil of St. Michael [28th Sept.], and witii
him Robert de Beleasme, and William, earl of Moreton ; but the
right and the victory w^ere on the king's side. Robert, earl of
Normandy, William, earl of Moreteon, and Robert de Stuteville
w^ere taken prisoners there ; but RoI)crt de Beleasme escaped by
fiight. William Crispin and many others were also taken prisoners.
A.D. 1108.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 327
After this the king subdued the whole of Normandy, and governed
it according to his own will, intelligence of which he sent by letters
to archbishop Anselm.
A.D. 1107. Eadgar, king of Scots, died on the 8th of the ides
of January [6th Jan.], and his brother Alexander succeeded him.
Peace having been established in Normandy under the rule of the
king, and Robert, earl of Normandy, and Wihiam, earl of IMoreton,
liaving been sent on to England in custody, the king returned to
his kingdom before Easter [14th April]. In the kalends of August
rist Aug.] an assembly of all bishops, abbots, and nobles of the
kingdom was held in London in the king's palace, and for three
days, in the absence of archbishop Anselm, the question of eccle-
siastical investitures was fully entered into between the king and
the bishops, many striving to persuade him to act according to the
custom of his father and brother, and not in obedience to the precept
of the apostolic see ; for pope Paschal, standing firm to the sentence
which had been published upon this point, had conceded all those
things which pope Urban had interdicted, together with investi-
tures. By this means the pope had brought the king to an agree-
ment with himself upon the question of investitures. At a later
period, in the presence of Anselm and of a multitude of the
people, the king granted and ordained that from that time forth no
person should ever be invested, by the giving of the pastoral staft" or
the ring, with any bishopric or abbey in England, by the king, or
indeed by any layman whatever. Anselm, on his part, conceded
that no bishop elect should be deprived of consecration by reason
of the homage which he had done to the king. Gerard, archbishop
of York, placing his hand in the hand of Anselm, in accordance
with his wisli, promised, on his fealty, that he would show to him
and his successors in the archbishopric, the same submission and
obedience as the bishop elect of Hereford had promised to himself
before his consecration to the church of Hereford. The following
bishops elect, namely, William of Winchester, Roger of Salis-
bury, Reignelm of Hereford, William of Exeter, and Urban of
Glamorgan, in Wales, came at the same time to Canterbury ; and
on Sunday, the 3d of the ides of August [11th Aug.], all these
individuals were consecrated by Anselm. The suffragan bishops
of the same see, namely, Gerard, archbishop of York, Robert, bishop
of Lincoln, John of Bath, Herbert of Norwich, Robert of Chester,
Ralph of Chichester, and Ranulph of Durham, all assisted him in
the service. Tliere was certainly no person of that day who remem-
bered in past times the election and ordination at one time of so
many bishops in England, except in the time of Eadward the elder,
when archbishop Pleigmund ordained in one day seven bishops to
seven churches. In this year IVIaurice, bishop of London, Richard,
abbot of Ely, Robert, abbot of St. Edmund's, IVIiles Crispin, Robert
Fitz Haimon, Roger Bigod, and Richard de Redvers, the king's
councillors, departed this life.
A.D. 1108. Gundulf, bishop of Rochester, died, on the nones of
March [7th March]. Henry, king of England, having established
peace, enacted a law that if any man were caught in theft or robbery.
328 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1108—
he should be hanged. He also enacted that debased and false
money should be corrected with great severity ; condemning those
who were caught in the making of false coin, to lose, without the
possibility of bail or ransom, their eyes and the lower parts of their
bodies. And since it frequently happened that coin, upon examina-
tion, was found to be bent, broken, and therefore rejected, he
enacted that no penny or halfpenny (which he also ordained should
be round), and even no farthing should be entire.' From which
edict great advantage followed to all the kingdom, for the king caused
these secular changes to be made for the relief of tlie burdens of
the land. Gerard, archbishop of York, died, and Thomas, the cousin
by the father's side, of his predecessor Thomas, succeeded him.
These following statutes were made concerning archdeacons,
priests, deacons, subdeacons, and canons of whatever rank, by An-
selm, archbishop of Canterbury, and Thomas, archbishop elect of
York, with him, and all the bishops of England, in presence of the
glorious king Henry, by assent of his barons, in the year 1108.
"It is enacted that priests, deacons, and subdeacons shall live
chastely, and shall not have any women in their houses, except
those connected with them by the closest relationship, according to
what the holy Synod of Nice has declared. Those priests, deacons,
or subdeacons, however, who, after the interdict of the Council of
London, have retained their wives, or married others, if they be
desirous of again celebrating mass, are to separate from them en-
tirely, and neither to suffer them to enter their own houses, nor are
they themselves to visit these women ; they are not knowingly to
meet in any house, nor are such wives to reside within the boundary
of the church ; and if it be necessary, for any legitimate purpose, to
hold converse with them, they are to meet out of doors in the
presence of two lawful witnesses.
" If, by the testimony of two or three lawful witnesses, or the
common report of his parishioners, any of the clergy be accused of
the violation of this statute, he shall purge himself in the presence
of proper witnesses of his own order : six if he be a priest, four if
a deacon, two if a subdeacon. He who fails in this purgation shall
be judged a transgressor of the sacred statute.
" Those priests who, contemning the sacred altar and holy
orders, shall prefer to live with women, are to be removed from
their divine office, deprived of all ecclesiastical preferment, placed
without the choir, and declared infamous.
" Those rebel and contumacious persons who have not left their
wives, and yet presumed to celebrate mass, shall be called to satis-
faction ; and if they neglect to appear in eight days, they shall be
excommunicated.
" The same sentence, including the relinquishment of women,
the avoidance of their conversation, and the imposition of censure,
if the statute be transgressed, embraces all archdeacons and canons.
" All archdeacons shall swear that they will not receive money to
overlook the infraction of this law, nor allow priests whom they
' This sentence is obscure, and possibly is corrupt ; although the MSS. aiford
no means of correcting it by giving it a different interpretation.
A.D. 1110.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 329
know to have wives, to sing mass or to appoint substitutes. Deans
shall do the same.
" The archdeacon or dean who refuses to swear to this, shall lose
his archidiaconate or his deanery.
" Priests who decide to leave their wives and to serve the holy
altar of God, shall be suspended for forty days, during which time
they shall appoint substitutes, and shall suffer a penance prescribed
by their bishops."
Philip, king of France, died, and his son Louis succeeded him.
Hemy, king of England, crossed the sea. Archbishop Anselm, in
accordance with the request of the king, consecrated Richard, the
elect of London, as bishop of that diocese in his chapel at Paggaham,
WiUiam, bishop of Winchester, Roger, bishop of Salisbury, Ralph,
bishop of Chichester, and William, bishop of Exeter, assisting him
in the sei-\'ice ; the accustomed profession of obedience and sub-
mission being first of all made from the said bishop. After this he
came to Canterbury, and consecrated Ralph, abbot of Seez, to the
church of Rochester, in place of Gundulf, on the 3d of the ides of
August [11th Aug.], Wilham, bishop of Winchester, Ralph, bishop
of Chichester, and Richard, bishop of London, assisting him. This
Richard, after the custom of his ancestors, honoured on the same
day his mother -church of Canterbuiy with a magnificent gift.
A.D. 1109. Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, died at Canter-
bury on Wednesday the 11th of the kalends of May [21st April],
and was buried with due honour on the following day, being Holy
Thursday. Henry, king of England, returned about rogation week
to England, and held his court at Westminster in Whitsuntide
[13th June]. Thomas, archbishop elect of York, was consecrated
by Richard, bishop of London, at London, on the 5th of the
kalends of July [27th June], and afterwards on Sunday, being the
kalends of August [1st Aug.], he received at York the pall which
the pope had sent to him; and on the same day consecrated
Turgod, prior of Durham, to the bishopric of St. Andrew's, in
Scotland, which is called Cenrimunt. In the same year the king
changed the abbey of Ely into an episcopal see, and appointed
Hervey, bishop of Bangor, to that church. A comet was seen
about the milky way in the month of December, its tail being
directed to the north.
A.D. 1110. Henry, king of England, gave his daughter to
Henry, king of the Germans. In the same year many signs
appeared throughout England. A severe earthquake was felt at
Shrewsbury. The river called Trent was dried up at Nottingham
from the morning up to the third hour of the day, for the space of
a mile, so that men walked dry-foot on its bed. A comet appeared
on the 6th of the ides of June [8th June], and was visible for three
weeks. Henry, king of the Germans, came to Rome, took pope
Paschal, and put him in confinement, but aftenvards made peace
with him at the bridge of the Via Salaria, where they celebrated
the feast of Easter in the Campus.
In this form the reconciliation between the king and the pope
was made ; and this is the oath of the king : —
330 CHURCH HISTORIANS OV ENGLAND. [a.D. 1110.
" I, king Henry, will set free, on next Thursday or Friday, the
lord pope; and the bishops and cardinals, and all the captives and
hostages who have been taken for or with him, I will cause to be
safely conducted within the gates of the city beyond the river
Tiber : I will never again take or permit to be taken those who
remain in the allegiance of the lord the pope Paschal, and I will
keep peace and security with the Roman people, and of the city
beyond the Tiber and island, through me and mine, in persons and
in things, provided they keep peace with me. I will faithfully aid
the lord the pope to keep his position as pope quietly and securely.
I will restore the patrimonies and possessions of the Romish church
which T have taken away, and I will faithfully aid her to recover
and keep all which she ought to possess, as my ancestors have
done ; I will obey our lord the pope, having regard to the honour
of my kingdom and empire, in the same manner as catholic em-
perors have obeyed catholic Roman pontiffs. All these things will
I faithfully observe without fraud or deceit."
These are the jurors on the part of the king : Frederic, arch-
bishop of Cologne, Gebehard, bishop of Trent, Burchard, bishop
of Munster, Bruno, bishop of Spires, Albert, chancellor, eeui
Herman, Frederic, count palatine, earl Berengar, earl Frederic,
marquis Boniface, Albert, earl of Blandry, earl Frederic, earl
Godefrid, marquis Warnerius.
A second convention between the pope and the king: — " Our lord
the pope Paschal, being the one hundred and tifty-sixth pope, is
willing to concede to king Henry and his kingdom, and will confirm
and corroborate this his privilege under anathema, that it shall be
lawful for the king, after the election of a bishop or abbot without
simony, with the royal assent, to invest him with a ring and staff.
And the bishop or abbot so invested by the king, shall freely accept
consecration from the bishop to whom the right shall pertain. If
any be elected by the clergy and people, except he be invested by
the king, he shall not be consecrated; and archbishops and bishops
shall have the liberty of consecrating those invested l)y the king.
In none of these things shall the lord the pope molest king Henry,
nor his kingdom, nor his empire."
This is the oath on the part of the pope : —
" Our lord the pope Paschal shall not molest our lord the king
Henry, nor his empire, nor his kingdom, touching the investiture
of bishoprics or abbacies, nor for any injustice done to himself and
his people, nor shall he do any evil to him or any other person in
this cause ; and he shall by no means pronounce an anathema
against the person of the king, nor shall it remain in the power of
the pope to refuse him coronation, as is contained in the agree-
ment ; and he shall aid to the best of his power the kingdom and
empire of the king by the influence of his office : and this the pope
shall do without fraud and treachery."
These are the names of those bishops and cardinals who, by the
command of the pope, have confirmed the privilege and agreement
by oath to the emperor Henry: Peter, bishop of Porto, Centius,
bishop of Sabina, Robert, cardinal of St. Euscbius, Boniface,
A.D. 1110.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 331
cardinal of St. Mark, Anastasius, cardinal of St. Clement, Gregory,
cardinal of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul; also Gregory,
cardinal of St. Chrisogonus, John, cardinal of St. Potentiana, Risus,
cardinal of St. Lawrence, Rainer, cardinal of Sts. Marcellus and
Peter, Vitalis, cardinal of St. Balbina, Duuzo, cardinal of St.
Martin, Theodbald, cardinal of John and Paul, John, deacon of
St. Mary in Schola Graeca.
This is the privilege of the lord the pope, which he granted to
the emperor concerning the investitures of bishoprics : —
" Paschal the Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to his most
beloved son in Christ, Henri/, the glorious King of the Germans, and
by the grace of God august Emperor of the Romans, greeting, and the
apostolic benediction. God's providence has decreed that a singu-
larly close attachment should exist between your kingdom and the
holy Roman church; your predecessors, in consequence of their
honour and more abundant prudence, obtained the crown and em-
pire of the city of Rome; to which dignity, dearest son, the Divine
Majesty has advanced you by the ministiy of our holy office. The
prerogative of that dignity, which our predecessors have conceded to
the catholic emperors, your predecessors, and have confirmed by
writing, we also concede to you, our beloved friend, confirming it
by this instrument ; to wit, that you are permitted to confer upon
the bishops or abbots of your kingdom, who have been elected
without violence or simony, the investiture of the staff and ring;
and that after the investiture they may canonically receive conse-
cration from the bishop to whom that ofiice may pertain. If any
be elected against your assent, except he be invested by you, let
him not be consecrated. Let bishops or archbishops have liberty
from you of consecrating bishops or abbots canonically. For your
predecessors out of their royal possessions have so amply endowed
the churches of their kingdom, that it is absolutely necessary that
the same kingdom should be defended by abbots or bishops, and
that the popular riots, which often happen in elections, should be
subdued by the royal authority. Wherefore, by God's assistance,
you ought to rely on your own prudence and carefulness to preserve
the eminence of the Roman church and the safety of the rest by
benefits and services. If any person, ecclesiastical or secular, shall
audaciously attempt to pervert the import of this concession, let
him be bound by the chain of an anathema, except he repent, and
suffer the loss of his honours and dignities; and may the Divine
Mercy presei-ve those who observe it, and grant you happily to
reign to his honour and glory."
With these conventions and oaths between the lord the pope and
the king, peace was made in the feast of Easter. Then the king
came to Rome in the ides of April [13th April], and the pope having
celebrated mass in the church of St. Peter, consecrated him emperor,
and gave him and all his people absolution, and pardoned all the
injuries which he himself had received. Henry, king of England,
transferred into Wales the Flemings, who inhabited Northumberland,
with all their furniture, and commanded them to inhabit the land
called Ros. And he also commanded that the new monastery, which
332 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1111—
had been built by William, bishop of Winchester, within the walls
of Winchester, should be rebuilt outside the walls; and soon after
crossed the sea. In this year there was a very severe winter, a
heavy famine, and a great mortality among men, a plague among
animals, both beasts of the field and domestic animals, and a great
destruction of birds.
A.D. 1111.
A.D. 1112. Tlie decision of a council against the heresy con-
cerning the investiture : —
In the thirteenth year of the pontificate of pope Paschal II.,
the fifth indiction, in the month of March, on the 15th of the
kalends of April [18th March], a council was held at Rome, in tlie
Lateran, in the Constantine church. In this council, when the
pope had returned with his arclibishops, bishops, cardinals, and a
great multitude of clergy and laity, on the last day of the council,
having made a profession of the catholic faith in the presence of all, in
order that none might doubt of his belief, he said ; " I embrace all
Holy Scripture, namely, the Old and New Testament, the law of
Moses, and the holy prophets. I embrace the four gospels, the
seven canonical epistles, the epistles of the glorious doctor the
blessed Paul the apostle, the sacred canons of the apostles, the four
general councils (even as I embrace the four gospels), namely, the
councils of Nice, Ephesus, Constantinopole, and Chalcedon ; the
council of Antioch, and the decrees of the holy fathers, pontifls of
Rome, especially the decrees of my lord pope Gregory VII., and
pope Urban, of blessed memory. What they accepted, I accept ;
what they held, I hold ; what they confirmed, I confirm ; what they
condemned, I condemn ; what they rejected, I reject ; what they
interdicted, I interdict ; what they prohibited, I prohibit, in all and
through all ; and in these things I will always persevere."
Wlien he had finished, Gerard, bishop of Engoulesme, legate
in Acquitain, rose for all ; and by the common assent of pope Pas-
chal and all the council, he read as follows : — " All we, assembled
in this sacred council with the lord the pope, do, by censure cano-
nical and authority ecclesiastical, by the judgment of the Holy
Spirit, condemn, and judge to be void and of no cfi'cct, and alto-
gether quash, and (lest it have any authority or efficacy) totally repu-
diate the privilege, (which is no privilege, but ought rather to be
called a violation of the law,) that, namely, which, for the liberation
of prisoners and the church, has been extorted from pope Paschal
by the violence of king Henry ; and it is therefore condemned,
because it contains the clause, that one canonically elected by the
clergy and people, unless he be first invested by the king, shall not
be consecrated ; which is against the Holy Spirit and the canonical
institutions."
When this charter had been read, the whole council exclaimed
at once, "Amen, Amen! so be it, so be it!" The archbishops
who were present with their suffragans, were these : John,
patriarch of Venice, Scmies of Capua, Landulf of Benevento, those
of Amalfi, Rcggio, Otranto, Brindisi, Capsa, Gyronrium ; and of
the Greeks, Risano, and the archbishop of San Severino ; the
A.D. 1114.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 333
bishops, Centius of Savona, Peter of Porto, Leo of Ostia, Cono
of Palestina, Girard of Engoulesme, Galo of Leon, legate for the
archbishops of Bourges and Vienne, Roger of Volturara, Geoffrey
of Sienna, Roland of Pampeluna, Gregory of Tarragona, William
of Troia, Gibin of Syracuse, legate for all the Sicilies, and other
bishops to the number of nearly one hundred. Siguin and John
of Toscolano, bishops, though at Rome on that day, were not
present at the council. Afterwards, they read the condemnation
of the privilege, and consented to it and accepted it.
Samson, the twenty-fifth bishop of Worcester, died on Sunday,
the 3d of the nones of May [5th May]. Henry, king of England,
placed earl Robert of Belesme in custody, in Carisbrook, in the
month of October.
A.D. 1113. The city of Worcester, with its cathedral church,
and all the other churches, and the castle, was consumed by fire, on
Friday, the 13th of the kalends of July [19th June]. There perished
in the flames one of the monks, who had been most useful to the
monastery, with two servants, and fifteen citizens. Henry, king of
England, returned to England in the month of July, and placed earl
Robert de Belesme, whom he had brought over from Normandy,
in the closest confinement at Warham. Thomas the prior, and
Coiemann, celebrated monks of St. Mary of Worcester, men of rare
worth, departed this life, on Saturday, the 4th of the nones of
October [4th Oct.].
Thus by a common fate they pay the debt of nature ;
Yet theirs are the highest joys, theirs the most perfect peace ;
For with the saints they inherit the life which knoweth no end.
Teoulf, the king's chaplain, was made bishop of Worcester, on
Sunday, the 5th of the kalends of January [28th Dec], at Windsor.
A.D. 1114. Mathilda, daughter of Henry, king of the English,
on the 8th of the ides of January [6th Jan.], was married at May-
ence, to Henry, emperor of Rome, and consecrated queen. Thomas,
archbishop of York, died on Tuesday, the 6th of the kalends of
March [24th Feb.]. Ralph, bishop of Rochester, on Sunday, the
6th of the kalends of May [26th April], was elected to the arch-
bishopric of Canterbuiy, at Windsor. The city of Chichester, with
the principal monastery, was burnt, on Tuesday, the 3d of the
nones of May [5th May], by negligence. Thurstan, the king's
chaplain, was elected on the day of the Assumption of St. Mary
[15th Aug.], at Winchester, to the archbishopric of York. Arnulf,
abbot of Burgh, was elected bishop of Rochester. Henry, king of
England, after he had led an army into Wales, crossed the sea,
before the Feast of St. Michael [29th Sept.]. The river called
Medewege became so shallow for many miles, on the 6th of the
ides of October [10th Oct.], that even in the middle of the stream
the smallest vessels were quite unable to keep afloat from want of
water. The Thames, on the same day, suftered the same failure ;
for between the bridge and the Royal Tower, even under the bridge,
the water was so shallow, that not only horses but a great multi-
tude of men and boys crossed on foot, the water scarcely reaching
up to their knees. This want of water lasted from the middle of
334 CHURCH historians of England. [a.d. ni5—
the preceding night to the middle of the following night. We have
heard, from credible sources, that a similar want of water was ex-
perienced on the same day at Yarmouth, and in other places
throughout England.
A.D. 1115. In this year the winter was so severe, that nearly all
the bridges in England were ruined by the frost. The emperor
Henry, after he had laid siege to Cologne for a long time, and had
lost many of his men in a pitched battle, made peace by oatli in the
city of Nussa. Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, on Sunday, the 5th
of the kalends of July [27th June], assumed the pall at Canterbury,
where the bishops of all England were assembled, at the hands of
Ansclm, legate of the holy Roman church. And on the same day
Teoulf, bishop of Worcester, was consecrated with great honour.
Wilfrid, bishop of St. David, died in Wales ; up to his time the
bishops had been Britons. In the octave of the apostles St. John
and St. Paul [6th July], a great council was celebrated at Chalons,
by Cono, cardinal of the Roman church ; in which he excommuni-
cated the bishops who were not present at the council ; he also
degraded some, and deprived many abbots of their staff's and de-
posed them from their seats, interdicting them from the exercise of
the ecclesiastical office. Henry, king of the Romans, returned to
England, in the middle of July. Bernard, the queen's chancellor,
was elected bishop of St. David's in Wales, on Saturday, tlie 14th
of the kalends of October [18th Sept.], and on the same day was
promoted to the priesthood, by William, bishop of Winchester, at
Southwark, and on the morrow, in the presence of the queen, he
was consecrated bishop at Westminster, by archbishop Ralph.
Regnelm, bishop of Hereford, died on the 6th of the kalends of
November [27th Oct.], in whose stead Gosfrid, the king's chaplain,
w^as elected. Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, ordained at Can-
terbury, on St. Stephen [26th Dec], Arnulf to the see of Rochester,
and Gosfrid to Hereford.
A.D. 1116. Griffin ap Rees ravaged Wales in the spring, and
burned the castles, because king Henry would not give him a portion
of the land of his father. An assembly of nobles and barons of all
England was held at Salisbury, on the 14th of the kalends of April
[19th March], and they did homage and swore allegiance in the
presence of king Henry to his son William. The dissension wiiich
had continued for a whole year between Ralph, archbishop of Can-
terbury, and Thurstan, archbishop elect of York, was mooted here.
This archbisliop elect, on receiving admonition from the pope to do
that which he was bound to do to the church of Canterbury, and
to receive his benediction according to ecclesiastical customs, made
answer that he was willing to accept the benediction, but that he
would l)y no means make the profession which was demanded of
liim. But king Henr)\ wlien he understood that Thurstan still
remained in his disobedience, openly declared that he should either
follow the custom of his predecessors, botji in making the profession
and in other matters belonging of ancient right to the church of
Canterbury, or that he should entirely lose both the archbishopric
of York and the benediction. Wicn he heard this, bcins; led astrav
A.D. 1117.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 335
by the impulse of his temper, he renounced the archbishopric,
promising the king and archbishop that he would never claim it
while he lived, and that he would make no demand for it who-
ever was put in his place. Owen, king of Wales, was slain, and
Henry, king of England, crossed the sea ; Thurstan, archbishop
elect of York, accompanying them, in the hope that he might
recover the investiture of his archbishopric, and obtain the bene-
diction from the archbishop by the royal command without the
exaction of the required profession. About the month of August,
Anselm returned from Rome, having brought the pall from Rome
for the archbishop of Canterbury ; and he came to Normandy,
bringing letters from the apostolic see, by which there was con-
ceded to himself the office of legate in England, which he inti-
mated to the kingdom of England by his letters. Hereupon, by
the advice of the queen and some of the nobles of England,
Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, after the feast of the Nativity of
St. Mary [8th Sept.], crossed the sea, went to the king, whom he
found residing at Rouen ; and having carefully discussed with him
the business on which he had come, point by point, by his advice
he set out on his journey to Rome.
A.D. 1117. By command of king Heniy, a new building was
commenced at Cirencester. In Lombardy a great earthquake took
place, and, according to the testimony of those who knew about it,
it lasted for a space of forty days, during which time many build-
ings were thrown down ; and, what is wonderful, a large town was
suddenly moved from its own position, and may be now seen to
stand in a place far removed from other towns. Wliile some men
of patrician rank were assembled in a tower at Milan, for the trans-
action of state affairs, a voice at the door resounded in the ears
of all, calling one of them by name, and entreating him to come
forth at once. When he delayed, a form appeared before them,
and by earnest prayers prevailed upon him to leave. As soon as
he was gone the tower suddenly fell, and buried all who were
present in its ruins. Robert, bishop of Stafford [Coventry], and
Gilebert, abbot of Westminster, died on the 8th of the ides of
December [6th Dec.].
HERE ENDS THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
HERE BEGINS THE CONTINUATION OF
THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
A.D. 1118. Pope Paschal, of holy memor)-, died on the 14th of
the kalends of February [19th Jan.], and a certain John, a native of
Cajeta, succeeded him, his name being changed to Gelasius. He
was bred up for a monk in the monastery of Mount Cassino from
infancy, and when he attained man's estate became chancellor to
the venerable apostolic poj)es Dcsiderius, Urban, and Paschal. The
king of Germany, who was also emperor of Rome, hearing that the
pope had departed this life, hurried to Rome, and appointed as
pope the bishop of Braga, who had been excommunicated in the
preceding year at Beneventum by Paschal, when Gelasius left the
city; and he then called him Gregory, instead of his former name,
Maurice. Mathilda, queen of England, died at Westminster on
the kalends of May [1st May], and was honourably buried in the
monastery itself. Many of the Normans who had sworn allegiance
to king Henry went over to Louis, king of France, and his chiefs,
who were the adversaries of the king, thus not fearing to set aside
the claims of their natural lord. The aforesaid pope Gelasius
came over sea to Burgundy, and his arrival was immediately made
known to the whole of France. On the nones of July [7th July],
Florence of Worcester, the monk, died. His deep knowledge and
great industry have rendered this Chronicle of chronicles pre-
eminent over all others.
The earth covers his body, may his soul find rest in heaven,
And reign for ever there with the saints in the presence of God.
After the dedication of the church at Momerfeld by Gosfrid,
bishop of Hereford, all who had come to that service set out to
return home; but the air which had been before remarkably serene,
became clouded, and a great storm of thunder and lightning arose,
and some of those on their journey back, being overtaken by it
and unable to return, rested in a certain spot at which they hap-
pened to have arrived. They were five in number, three men and
two women ; one of the latter was killed by a stroke of lightning,
and the other having been set on fire from the middle down to the
soles of the feet, perished miserably, the men alone scarce escaping
with their lives. Five of tlieir horses also were struck and killed.
A.D. 1119. Pope Gelasius died, and was buried at Cluny ;
Guy, bishop of Vienne, succeeded him, whose name was changed
to Calixtus. Gosfrid, bishop of Hereford, died on the 3d of the
nones of February [3d Feb.], and Herbert, of Nonvich, on the
A.D. 1120.J THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 337
11th of the kalends of August [22d July]. A war having arisen
between Henry, king of England, and Louis, king of France, and
the earl of Anjou, and the earl of Flanders, king Henry, seizing
the opportunity, took the initiative in making peace with the earl,
and accepted his daughter in marriage for his son William, whom
he had already made the heir of all his kingdom. The earl of
Anjou went to Jerusalem. After this king Henry, by the advice
of his nobles, made peace with the king of France, by which his
son William received Normandy, to be held of the king of France.
The king also made peace not only with his nobles, who had
unjustly and unfaithfully deserted him, but also with the earl of
Flanders. An earthquake was felt in many places in England on
Sunday, the 4th of the kalends of October [28th Sept.], about the
third hour of the day. Pope Calixtus appointed a general council
at Rheims on the 13th of the kalends of November [20th Oct.],
where there was a great assembly of archbishops, bishops, abbots,
and princes of different provinces, and an immense multitude of
clergy and people. The bishops of England, who were then staying
with the king in Normandy, namely, William of Exeter, Ranulph
of Durham, Bernard of St. David's, and Urban of Glamorgan,
and the bishops and abbots of Normandy, were sent by the king
himself to the council. Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, was not
able to attend by reason of sickness. Thurstan, archbishop elect
of York, sought permission of the king to go thither, and at length
obtained it, pledging his faith that he would, on no account, accept
the episcopal consecration from the pope. Bound by this promise,
he hastened on his journey, and came to the pope; and soon, set-
ting aside his promise, by the aid of bribes he brought the Romans
over to his own side, and through them besought the pope that he
would with his own hand consecrate him bishop. And he was
consecrated to the archbishopric of York, and many of the bishops
of France were present at his consecration. The bishops of England,
however, had not yet come to the council; but when they became
acquainted with what had been done, they told it to the king. And
he being very indignant hereat, forbade Thurstan and his people to
return either into England or Normandy, or indeed to any of his
dominions.
A.D. 1 120. Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, returned to England
on Sunday the 2d of the nones of January [4th Jan.], and on
Sunday the 2d of the nones of April [4th April] he consecrated a
venerable clerk named David, who was chosen to the bishopric of
Bangor by king Grifhn and the clergy and people of Wales ; and at
this consecration were present Richard, bishop of London, Robert
of Lincoln, Roger of Salisbury, and Urban of Glamorgan. Henry,
king of England, after having concluded everything prosperously
and according to his wishes, returned from Normandy into
England. His son William followed him, and embarked at-
tended by a great company of nobles, soldiers, boys, and women.
When they had put out of port, relying on the extraordinary calm-
ness of the weather, and were proceeding on the voyage, in a short
time the ship in which they were sailing struck upon a rock, and
VOL. II. z
338 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1121 —
all who were on board (except one peasant who escaped by the
wonderful mercy of God, and he, as it is related, not even worthy
to be mentioned by name) were swallowed up by the waves. The
most noble of these were William, the king's son, Richard, his
brother, Richard, earl of Chester, Otthuel, his brother, William
Bigod, Geofirey Riddel, Walter de Everci, GeolFrey, archdeacon of
Hereford, the countess of Perch, daughter of the king, the countess
of Chester, the king's niece, and many others, whom we pass by
for brevity's sake. This shocked and distressed the mind of the
king (who had reached England after a prosperous voyage), and of
all who heard it, and caused them to ponder upon the hidden
judgments of a just God.
A.D. 1121. Henry, king of England, having now been a widower
for a long time (and that he might no longer lead an improper life),
by the advice of Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, and the nobles
of the kingdom, whom he assembled together at London, on the
Epipliany of our Lord [6th Jan.], determined that he would choose
for his wife Adelaide, daughter of Godfrey, duke of Lorrain, a
maiden adorned with the comeliness of a modest countenance.
Messengers are despatched ; and they brought the future queen, with
great state, from the parts beyond the sea, to the court of the king.
Meanwhile, two clerks were elected to the government of churches
wliich had been vacant for some time, namely, Richard, who was
keeper of the royal seal under the chancellor, and Robert, whose
duty it was to ser\^e the king in the care of his bread and drink.
The former of these was made bishop of Hereford, the latter of
Chester. Herbert, also, monk of the abbey of Westminster, was
appointed abbot of the same place. Richard was elected on Friday,
the 7th of the ides of January [7th Jan.], and on Sunday, the 17th
of the kalends of February [IGth Jan.], was consecrated bishop at
Lambeth, by Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, with the assistance
of Richard, bishop of London, Robert of Lincoln, Arnulph of Ro-
chester, Urban of Glamorgan, Bernard of St. David's. The maid
aforesaid, being elected queen, was espoused to the king on Satur-
day the 4th of the kalends of February [29th Jan.], by William,
bishop of Winchester, by command of Ralph, archbishop of Canter-
bury ; and on the morrow, namely, on the 3d of the kalends of
February [30th Jan.], was consecrated queen by the same arch-
bishop, and crowned. After this the archbishop came to Abingdon,
with the king, and on Sunday, the 3d of the ides of March [13th
March], he consecrated the aforesaid Robert to the bishopric of
Chester ; William, bishop of Winchester, William of Exeter, Urban
and Bernard, Welsh bishops, being present and assisting in the
consecration. After a few days, a certain member of the chapel
royal, named Everard, wiis elected to the bishopric of Norwich, and
consecrated at Canterbuiy, by Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury,
on the 2d of the ides of June [12th June], Arnulph, bishop of Ro-
chester, Richard of Herefonl, and Robert of Coventry, assembling
for this purpose. Pope Calixtus, having collected forces from all
parts, took the above-mentioned Maurice, surnamcd Burdinus.
wliom the emperor had established, by the name of Gregory, in the
A.D. 1123.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 339
apostolic see ; and contumeliously thrust him into a monastery, after
having stripped him of all his honours. Henry, king of England,
led an army against the Welsh, and, taking hostages from them,
reduced the whole of Wales to his own dominion. A certain
clerk, an Irishman by birth, and by name Gregory, being chosen
bishop of Dublin by the king, the clergy, and the people of Ireland,
came to England, that he might be ordained, according to ancient
custom, by the archbishop of Canterbury, primate of England ;
whereupon by the command of the archbishop, Roger, bishop of
Salisbury, promoted him to the rank of the deaconship and priest-
hood, at his castle called Devizes, on Saturday, the 1 1 th of the
kalends of October [21st Sept.]. He was ordained bishop on
Sunday, the 6th of the nones of October [2d Oct.], at Lambeth,
by Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury; and Richard, bishop of London,
Roger of Salisbufy, Robert of Lincoln, Everard of Norwich, and
David of Bangor, were present at his consecration. The principal
church at Tewksbury was consecrated with great pomp, by Teoulf,
bishop of Worcester, Richard of Hereford, Urban of Glamorgan,
and the aforesaid Gregory of Dublin, on Monday, the 9th of the
kalends of November [24th Oct.].
A.D. 1122. The city of Gloucester, with the principal monas-
tery, for the second time were destroyed by fire, on Wednesday, the
7th of the ides of March [9th March], in the twenty-second year of
the reign of king Henry ; the former conflagration happened in the
first year of his reign, on Thursday, the 11th of the kalends of June
[22d May]. Ralph, the twenty-fifth archbishop of Canterbury, de-
parted this life at Canterbury, on Thursday, the 14th of the kalends
of November [19th Oct.]. John, bishop of Bath, died on the 4th
of the kalends of January [29th Dec] ; during his lifetime he had
sold all the town of Bath to king Henry, for five hundred pounds.
A.D. 1123. Robert, the eighteenth bishop of Lincoln, in the
month of January, while at Woodstock, when on horseback,
and holding a conversation with king Henry, suddenly lost his
speech and sank to the ground ; he was carried away to an house,
where he died. Ranulph, also, the king's chancellor, departed this
life in a miserable manner. William, canon of St. Osgith's of
Chiche, was elected to the archbishopric of Canterbuiy, at Glou-
cester, where the king held his court, on the Purification of St.
Maiy [2d Feb.] ; and he was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury,
by William, bishop of Winchester, with the assistance of many
others, on the 14th of the kalends of March [16th Feb.]. With
•his assent, in Lent, the bishopric of the city of Lincoln was given
to Alexander, archdeacon of Salisbury. Afterwards the same arch-
bishop William (in company with Thurstan, archbishop of York,
Bernard, bishop of St. David's, Sigefrid, abbot of Glastonbury, and
Anselm, abbot of St. Edmund) went to Rome for his pall. Alex-
ander, king of Scots, died on the 7th of the kalends of May [25th
April]. Hemy, king of England, after the feast of Pentecost [3d
June], went over sea. William, archbishop of Canterbuiy, having
received the pall from pope Calixtus, and Thurstan, archbishop of
York, with his companions, returned from Rome, and joined the
z 2
340 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1124 —
king, wlio was staying in Normandy. And not long after tliis,
archbishop WiUiam returned to England, and on the 11 th of the
kalends of August [22d July], being then at Canterbury, he conse-
crated Alexander, bishop of Lincoln ; and on the 7th of the kalends
of September [26th Aug.], and in the church of St. Paul apostle,
at London, he consecrated Godefrey, the queen's chancellor, bishop
of Bath. Teoulf, the twenty-sixth bishop of Worcester, died on
Saturday, the 13th of the kalends of November [20th Oct.], at his
vill of Hantun. Robert, abbot of Tewkesbury, departed this life
on the 6th of the ides of December [8th Dec.]. David, brother of
Alexander, king of the Scots, succeeded him in the kingdom.
A.D. 1124. Arnulf, the twenty-third bishop of Rochester, died in
the month of March. Galeran, count of Mellent, was captured in
Passion-week by the soldiers of king Henry, in Normandy, and
was placed, with many others, in close confinement at Rouen.
Gosfrid, abbot of the new monastery of Winchester, died. The
reverend prior of the church of Worcester, named Nicholas, died
on Wednesday, the 8th of the kalends of July [24th June]. May he,
by the mercy of God, rejoice in the kingdom of heaven ! William,
archbishop of Canterbury, as the king had commanded, crossed the
sea. Pope Calixtus died, and was succeeded by Honorius, bishop
of Ostia.
A.D. 1125. The coiners who were taken in England with false
money, suffered the cruel sentence of the king, by amputation of
their right hands, and the loss of the lower parts of their bodies.
Afterwards, in consequence of a change in the value of money, all
things became dear ; whence a severe famine arose, and reduced
a great multitude of men nearly to death. Simon, the queen's
chancellor, and Sigefrid, abbot of Glastonbury, men of remarkable
piety and probity, were elected (when they were in Normandy) to
be bishops ; Simon to the bishopric of Worcester, and Sigefrid to
that of Chichester. Hugh, archdeacon of two bishops of Wor-
cester, namely, Samson and Teoulf, a man of great prudence,
died on the 12th of the kalends of April [21st March]. The feast of
Easter having ended [29th March], Simon and Sigefrid, the bishops
elect, came to England, in company with archbishops William and
Tliurstan, and a Roman cardinal, by name John ; and Sigefrid was
ordained bishop of the church of Chichester, by archbishop William,
on the 2d of the ides of April [12th April]. There were present at
his ordination the Roman cardinal, Tliurstan, archbishop of York,
Everard of Norwich, Richard of Hereford, Bernard of St. David's,
David of Bangor, Urban of Glamorgan, and John, bishop elect of-
Rochester. Simon, bishop elect of Worcester, was received at
Worcester by the clergy and people with a festive procession, on
the 8th of the ides of May [8th May], being the day of the Ascen-
sion of the Lord ; and on the 10th of the kalends of June [2.'m1
May] he was ordained priest at Canterbury, by William, arch-
bishop of Canterbuiy, The emperor Henry died, and was buried
at Spires, where his grandfather also lies.
Lothair, the ninety-eighth emperor of the Romans, reigned
thirteen years. Simon, bishop elect of Worcester, accompanied by
A.D, 1125.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 341
Godfrey, bishop of Bath, came to Canterbury, and was ordained
priest on the Saturday in Whitsun-week [I7th May], by WilUam,
archbishop of Canterbury, and on the next day was consecrated
with great pomp bishop of the holy mother church of Worcester ;
and along with him John, archdeacon of Canterbury, was ordained
bishop of Rochester. At their consecration were present Richard,
bishop of Hereford, David of Bangor, Godfrey of Bath, Sige-
frid of Chichester. When Simon of Worcester came to the seat
of his bishopric, a great multitude of the people assembled ; after
which he was received by a honourable procession, and enthroned
with the celebration of a mass in honour of the Holy Trinity. On
the same day, that is, on the 9th of the kalends of June [24th
IMay], that servant and faithful friend of God, in all his house, by
name Benedict, who in the preceding year had been elected abbot
of Tewkesbury, (one who had been brought up there in the monkish
habit from a boy, and in process of time, by the permission of
Wulfstan the bishop, from whom he had already taken all the
ecclesiastical orders, having become in peace and love one of the
monks of Worcester,) was consecrated by the same new bishop,
Simon, to the office of abbot of the church of Worcester. There
were present at the consecration of the same bishop, the following ;
namely, Richard of Hereford, Godfrey of Bath, David of Bangor,
and his diocesans, the abbots, Guy of Pershore, William of Glou-
cester, Godfrey of Winchelcumbe, and instead of his abbot, who was
prevented by sickness, Dominic, prior of Evesham, Walcer, the prior
of Malvern, to whom the words of the Psalmist may be applied,
" The Lord sendeth out the fountains in the valleys, and the whole
assembly who met the priest in procession." These same eccle-
siastics also received the said Benedict in procession.
A synod was celebrated at London, in the church of the blessed
chief of the apostles at Westminster, on the 9th of September, that
is, on the 5th of the ides, where, after the discussion of many causes,
these canons, seventeen in number, were published and confirmed
by all. John de Crema presided in this synod ; he was cardinal priest
of the holy and apostolic church, of the title of Saint Crisogonus,
being the legate of pope Honorius in England, with WiUiam, arch-
bishop of Canterbury, and Thurstan, archbishop of York, and the
bishops of different provinces, twenty in number, and about forty
abbots, and an innumerable multitude of the clergy and the people.
These are the canons : —
The first canon. — Following in the footsteps of the holy fathers,
by our apostolic authority we forbid the ordination of any person in
the church for money.
n. We interdict the exaction of any fee for the chrism, for oil,
for baptism, for penance, for the visitation of the sick or unction,
for the communion of the Body of Christ, or for burial.
HL Moreover we ordain, and decree by apostolic authority, that
in the consecration of bishops, or the benedictions of abbots, or the
dedications of churches, no cope, nor tapet, nor napkin, nor basin,
nor anything else whatever, shall be exacted by violence, unless it
shall be spontaneously offered.
342 CHURCH historians of England. [a.d. 1125—
IV. No abbot, no prior, no monk or clerk shall accept a church,
tithe, or any ecclesiastical benefice from the gift of a layman,
without the assent and authority of his own bishop. If he shall
presume to do this, the donation shall be void, and he himself shall
be subjected to the canonical censure.
V. We enact, moreover, that no person shall claim for himself a
church or prebend by paternal inheritance, or shall appoint a suc-
cessor to himself in any ecclesiastical benefice, which if he presume
to do, we forbid that it have any effect, saying with the Psalmist,
" O my God, make them like a wheel, and (as they have said) Let
us possess the sanctuary of God as an inheritance."
VI. Furthermore we enact, that clerks who hold churches or
ecclesiastical benefices, and avoid ordination, in order to be able to
live more freely in the world ; and after having been urged thereto
by their bishops, should they still continue to contemn promotion to
orders, they shall be deprived of their churches and benefices.
VII. None but a priest shall be promoted to the dignity of dean
or prior ; none but a deacon to the rank of archdeacon.
VIII. No person shall be ordained priest or deacon except on a
definite title. Whoever shall have been ordained absolutely shall
lose his assumed dignity.
IX. No abbot, no clerk or layman whatever, shall presume to
eject any person ecclesiastically ordained to a church, without the
sentence of his own bishop. He who shall presume to do other-
wise will subject himself to excommunication.
X. No bishop shall presume to ordain or adjudge the inhabitants
of another diocese, for each stands or falls to his own master ; nor is
any one bound by a sentence which is not pronounced by his own
judge.
XI. No person shall presume to take into communion one who
has been excommunicated by another. If he shall have knowingly
done this, he shall himself be deprived of christian communion.
XII. We command, also, that two archdeaconries or preferments
of different ranks shall not be assigned to the same person.
XIII. We prohibit by apostolic authority all priests, deacons,
subdeacons and canons, from cohabiting with wives, or concubines,
and with all women generally, except it be in the case of a
mother, a sister, an aunt, or those women who are removed from
all suspicion. Whoever shall be proved by confession or con-
viction to have violated this decree, let him suffer the loss of his
own orders.
XIV. We altogether prohibit usuiy and filthy gain to all sorts of
clerks. Whoever shall have confessed or have been convicted of
such a crime, is to be degraded from the orders which he holds.
XV. We command the excommunication of fortune-tellers,
soothsayers, and dealers in all kinds of auguries, and those who
consent to them, and we brand them with perpetual infamy.
XVI. We forbid the contraction of marriages as well between
those connected by blood as those connected by affinity. If any
such shall have been joined together in marriage, they are to be
separated.
A.D. 1126.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 343
XVII. We forbid not only the acceptance of the testimony of
husbands accusing their own wives of consanguinity, but further
that of the witnesses whom they may bring forward ; but let the
ancient authority of the fathers be observed.
" Does this please you ?" " It pleases us." " Does this please
you ? " " It pleases us." " Does this please you ? " " It pleases us.'
This same cardinal, having left England, went to Normandy
and finally returned to Rome. The archbishop William also, con-
sidering the church of the kingdom of England to have suffered a
heavy scandal in the humiliation of the church of Canterbury,
crossed the sea himself on his way to Rome, to obtain what aid
he could in the management of his aifairs which had fallen into
disorder, and to prevent the further progress of the evil. He
came, therefore, to Rome, and was honourably received by pope
Honorius, who had succeeded Calixtus, and who committed to
the archbishop the exercise of vicarial authority over England and
Scotland, and appointed him legate of the apostolic see.
A.D. 1126. Henry, king of England, returned to England on
the Nativity of our Lord [25th Dec], and held his court with
great magnificence in Windsor Castle, and there united together
the nobility of the whole kingdom by his decree. Here, when the
archbishop of York was desirous of crowning the king, thereby
putting himself on an equality with the archbishop of Canterbury,
herein following the example of his predecessors, he was repulsed
by the judgment of all, and the general sentiment of all vmanimously
declared that the office of conferring the crown of the kingdom
in no manner appertained to him. The bearer of the cross which
he caused to be carried before him into the king's chapel, along
with the cross which he carried, was thrust out of the chapel ; for
according to the judgment of the bishops and some prudent men
skilled in ecclesiastical law, it was held to be a ruled point that it
is not lawful for any metropolitan to bear a cross before him
beyond the bounds of his own jurisdiction. When these festivities
were concluded, the king and all the nobility proceeded to London,
and there, by command of the king, archbishop William (being
the legate of the Roman church), and all the other bishops of
England, with the nobles of the land, on their allegiance and oath,
bound themselves to the daughter of the king, that they would
defend the kingdom of England for her behoof against all persons,
should she survive her father; unless he, before his death, should
beget a son in lawful wedlock, who in that case should succeed
him. On the death of her husband, the emperor Henry, (who
had lived in marriage with her for many years,) without children,
she returned to her father, and resided in his court, as was be-
coming, with the greatest honour. On the death of the king's
son William, (which we have above narrated,) there was none to
succeed as legitimate heir of his kingdom, for which reason he
transferred the rights of his kingdom to his daughter, the sister of
this William, on the condition which we have mentioned. Henry,
also, by the advice of his barons, granted to the church of Canter-
bury, and to William the archbishop, and to all his successors.
344 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1127.
the custody and constableship of the castle of Rochester to hold
for ever ; and he gave them permission to make in the same castle
a fortification or tower of what kind soever they pleased, and have
and keep it for ever ; and that the soldiers who should be sent to
guard the castle should come in and go out as w^as convenient, and
should form the garrison of the same castle. Robert, surnamed
Peccatum, bishop of Coventr)', departed this life, and reposes at
Coventry. Hugh, abbot of St. Augustine's, died.
A.D. 1127. William, archbishop of Canterbury, assembled a
general council of all bishops and abbots, and of the religious
persons of England, at the monastery of St. Peter, situated in the
western part of London. He himself presided at this council, as
archbishop of Canterbury and legate of the apostolic see, together
with William, bishop of Winchester, Roger of Salisbuiy, William of
Exeter, Hervey of Ely, Alexander of Lincoln, Everard of Norwich,
Seifred of Chichester, Richard of Hereford, Godfrey of Bath, John
of Rochester, Bernard of St. David's in Wales, Urban of Glamorgan
or LlandafF, and David of Bangor. At this time Richard of London
and Robert of Chester were dead, and hitherto no person had
succeeded to their sees. But Thurstan, the archbishop of York,
sent messengers and letters, and showed reasonable cause why he
could not be present at that assembly. Ranulph, bishop of
Durham, on his way thither, was seized with sickness, and was
unable to complete the journey, as the prior of the church and the
clerks whom he had sent thither in support of the truth of his as-
sertion attested. And Simon, bishop of Worcester, had gone over
sea to visit his relations, and had not yet returned. Great multi-
tudes of clerks and laymen, as well of the rich as of the middle
orders, having collected there, the meeting was exceedingly nume-
rous. It sat for three days, namely, the 3d of the ides of May
[11th May], and the following day, and the fourth after that, the
17th of the kalends of June [16th May]. A few things were done
concerning secular affairs, some determined, some deferred, and
some, by reason of the tumult of the stormy crowd, withdrawn from
the ears of the judges. We have thought it advisable to record in
this work the decrees and statutes which were passed by the common
consent of the bishops in this council, as they were publicly recited
and set forth. They are these : —
L We entirely prohibit, by the authority of the blessed Peter, the
chief of apostles, and our own, the buying or selling of ecclesiastical
benefices, or of any ecclesiastical preferments whatsoever. Who-
ever shall have been convicted of having violated this statute, if he
be a clerk, either a regular canon or a monk, let him be degraded
from his orders : if a laic, let him be held outlawed and excommu-
nicate, and be deprived of his right over the same church or
preferment.
n. We entirely interdict, by apostolic authority, the ordination
or promotion of any person for money in the church of God.
in. We condemn the exaction of monies for the admission of
canons, monks, and nuns.
IV. None is to be appointed dean but a priest; none arch-
A.D. 1127.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 345
deacon but a deacon. If any person in orders below those here
specified be already nominated for those preferments, he is to be
admonished by the bishop that he proceed to the proper orders.
If in disobedience to the monition of the bishop he refuse to be
ordained, he is to be deprived of the dignity to which he had been
nominated.
V. We altogether forbid priests, deacons, sub-deacons, and all
canons, to cohabit with unlawful women. If they will retain their
concubines (which God forbid) or their wives, they are to be
deprived of their orders, preferment, and benefice. Parish priests
(if there be any such) we expel without the chancel, and pronounce
them infamous. We command, by the authority of God and our
own, all archdeacons and ministers whose duty this is, with all
diligence and solicitude to eradicate this deadly evil out of the
church of God. If they be found negligent in this, or (which
God forbid) if they be consenting thereto, they are, for the first
and second ofl^ence, to be sufficiently corrected by the bishop, and
for the third to be canonically punished with more severity.
VI. The concubines of priests and canons, except they shall
have been lawfully married there, shall be expelled from the parish.
If afterwards they be found in the same fault, in whosesoever
province they may be, they are to be taken by the ministers of the
church ; and we command, under pain of excommunication, that
they are not to be detained by any power lesser or greater, but to be
freely delivered to the minister of the church, and to be given
up to ecclesiastical discipline or custody.
VII. We prohibit under anathema any archdeacon from holding
different archdeaconries in different bishoprics ; let him retain that
only to which he was first appointed.
VIII. Bishops are to forbid the priests, abbots, monks, and priors
subject to them from holding farms.
IX. We command that tithes be wholly paid, for they are the
property of the most high God.
X. We forbid by canonical authority any person from giving or
receiving churches, or tithes, or other ecclesiastical benefices, with-
out the consent or authority of the bishop.
XL No abbess or nun is to use garments of higher value than
lambs-wool or cat-skin.
King Henry, who was meanwhile residing in London, gave his
assent to the acts of this council, and permitted and confirmed by
his royal authority and power the statutes of the council which had
been celebrated at Westminster by William, archbishop of Canter-
bury, and the legate of the holy Roman church. A certain Hugh,
of the see of Rochester, having been appointed abbot by William,
archbishop of Canterbury, in Chichester, on Sunday, the 2d of the
ides of June [12th June], was promoted to the rank of abbot of
St. Augustine's, an honour which he well deserved. Richard,
bishop of Hereford, died at his vill called Dydelebrig, on Monday,
the 18th of the kalends of September [15th Aug.]; his body was
brought to Hereford, and buried in the church beside his prede-
cessors. Henry, king of England, went over sea.
346 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1128--
A.D. 1128. Thurstan, archbishop of York, consecrated Robert
(whom Alexander, king of Scotland, had intruded into the church
of St. Andrews, at the petition of David, the brother and successor
of Alexander,) bishop at York, in w^liich office he had invited the
assistance of Ranulph, bishop of Durham, and one Ralph, formerly
ordained bishop of the Orkneys. This Ralph, having been ordained
neither by the assent or election of the nobles of the land, nor
the clergy, nor the people, was rejected by all and accepted by
none as a bishop. He, because he was bishop of no city, attaching
himself sometimes to York, sometimes to Durham, was supported
by them, and employed by both as their vicar in the services of
the bishoprics. Robert was consecrated by those persons, and,
tliough he was a canon of York, was not permitted by the Scots to
make profession of subjection or obedience to the church of York
or its bishop. A certain canon of the church of Lyons, an honest
and aged man, was elected to the bishopric of London; for Richard,
bishop of the same city, w^as dead, and this man, named Gilebert,
and surnamed Universalis, was appointed in his stead by king
Henry and archbishop William, with the assent of the clergy and
people. He w^as consecrated at Canterbury by the archbishop
himself, in the mother church, on Sunday, the 11th of the kalends
of February [22d Jan.], Seifrid, bishop of Chichester, and John of
Rochester assisting and ministering to him in this office, in the
presence of the abbots and other great and noble persons assembled
at Canterbury for this purpose. His profession was first taken,
after the custom of his ancestors, by which he promised that he
would show to the archbishop and all Ids successors canonical
subjection and obedience in all things.
Urban, bishop of Glamorgan or LlandafF, — because he con-
sidered that he had not been justly dealt with in disputes concerning
certain matters, whicli in the general council of the past year he
had mooted against Bernard, bishop of St. David's, — after the con-
clusion of the feast of the Purification of St. Mary [2d Feb.],
crossed the sea, went to Rome, and communicated the cause of
his journey to the pope, certain of his own people attesting the
truth of his statement. The pope supported his cause by wishes
and words, and directed letters to Henry, king of England, and
arclibishop William, and all the bishops of England, commanding
them all, by virtue of his apostolic authority, to see that no person
in anything opposed the just demands of Urban. The venerable
Godefrey, abbot of Shrewsbury, died on Wednesday, the 9th of
the kalends of April [24th March]. Gosfrid, prior of Canterbury,
at the request of David, king of Scots, and with the assent of
archbishop William, was elected abbot of a certain place in Scotland
called Dunfcrmelin, and was ordained by Robert, bishop of the
church of St. Andrews. Urban, bishop of Llandaff, returned to
England after a prosperous journey, and by the king's command
the apostolic mandates concerning him were put in force. One of
the monks of the church of Shrewsbury, called Herbert, having
been chosen abbot, was consecrated by archbisliop William, at
Lewes, and ])laced as al^bot over the church of Shrewsbury. Hugh,
A.D. 1130.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 347
abbot of Chertsey, died. The count of Flanders, named William,
surnamed Miser, was surrounded by his enemies and wounded, and
his sufferings increasing, finished his life in a lamentable manner,
on the 6th of the kalends of August [27th July], and was buried at
St. Bertin. Ranulph, bishop of Durham, died on the nones of Sep-
tember [5th Sept.] ; and GeofiVey, archbishop of Rouen, departed
this life on the 4th of the kalends of December [28th Nov.].
A.D. 1129. William, bishop of Winchester, died, on the 8th of
the kalends of February [2.5th Jan.], and was buried at Winchester.
In the month of July, Henry, king of England, returned from Nor-
mandy into England ; his nephew Henry, abbot of Glastonbury, was
elected to the bishopric of Winchester, in the month of October,
and consecrated by William, archbishop of Canterbury, on Sunday,
tlie 15th of the kalends of December [17th Nov.]. Roger, nephew
of Geoftrey de Clintun, archdeacon of Buckingham, was elected to
the bishopric of Chester, ordained priest on the 12th of the kalends
of January [21st Dec], and on the following day was consecrated
bishop, at Canterbury, by William, archbishop of Canterbury ; and
Simon, bishop of Worcester, by command of the archbishop, after-
wards enthroned him in the episcopal chair of Coventry. A monk
of Gloucester, a man of the highest piety, Reignold by name, was
elected abbot, and ordained at Worcester, by the same Simon,
bishop of Worcester, on Monday, the 6th of the kalends of
February [27th Jan.].
A.D. 1130. Hugh, abbot of Reading, was chosen archbishop
of Rouen. Christ Church, Canterbury, was dedicated with great
pomp, by William, archbishop of the same city, on Sunday, the
4th of the nones of May [4th May] ; at the consecration of which
were present the following : John bishop of Rochester, Gilebert of
London, Henry of Winchester, Simon of Worcester, Alexander of
Lincoln, Roger of Salisbury, Godfrey of Bath, Everard of Noi-wich,
Sigefrid of Chichester, Bernard of St. David's, Audoen of Evreux
(a continental diocese), and John of Seez. On the 4th day after
this, that is, on the nones of May [7th May], the city of Rochester
was consumed by fire, the king being a spectator ; and on the follow-
ing day, namely Ascension Sunday, the new church of St. Andrew
was consecrated, by archbishop William, some of the aforesaid
bishops assisting him in this service. The prior of Lewes was
elected abbot of the church of Reading, and afterwards ordained ;
moreover, the prior of Winchester, Ingulfus, having been elected,
abbot of Abingdon, was ordained by Roger, bishop of Salisbury.
WiUiam, abbot of Glastonbury, having voluntarily laid aside his
pastoral duties, by reason of age, with the consent of the friars,
elected a monk called Walter, who was ordained abbot on Sunday,
the 3d of the nones of August [3d Aug.], by Simon, bishop of
Worcester. Serlo also, canon of Salisbury, was ordained abbot by
the same bishop, at Blockeley, a vill belonging to the bishop, and
was placed over the church of Cirencester. Robert, prior of the
church of Lanthony, being elected to the bishopric of Hereford,
was consecrated at Oxford, by William, archbishop of Canterbury.
Henry, king of England, went over the sea.
348 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1131—
A.D. 1131. Reignold, the venerable abbot of Ramsey, died, on
the 13th of the kalends of June [20th May], and William, abbot
of Gloucester, and Hervey, bishop first of Bangor, and afterwards
first bishop of Ely, died, on the 3d of the kalends of September
[30th Aug.], in the ninth indiction.
A.D. 1132. A comet was visible for nearly five days, on the
8th of the ides of October [8th Oct.]. The greatest part of
the city of London, with the mother church of St. Paul the
apostle, was consumed by fire, in the week of Whitsuntide, which
was on the 2d of the ides of May [14th May]. In the 33d year
from the commencement of the reign of Henry, king of England,
on Wednesday, and on the same day, according to the revolution
of the year, on which his brother and predecessor, king William
Rufus, was slain, and on which Henry himself, in the first year
of his reign, had assumed the government, the following pheno-
menon was seen. While the king was waiting near the sea-shore
for the purpose of crossing over to the continent (the wind being
frequently favourable to the passage), at length, on the day aforesaid,
about noon, when he had come down to the sea-shore, and was about
to cross, surrounded, as is the custom of kings, with troops of his
soldiers, suddenly a cloud appeared in the air, which was visible,
though not of the same size, throughout the whole of England.
For in some places the day seemed to be only gloomy, but in
others the obscurity was so great, that men had need of candle-
hght to do anything. Wherefore the king and his immediate
attendants, and many others, wondering and raising their eyes to
heaven, beheld the sun shining as it were in appearance like a new
moon; but it did not long preserve one form or aspect, for some-
times it was broader, sometimes narrower, sometimes more curved,
sometimes straighter, now of its ordinary firmness, then again
moving, and trembling and liquid like quicksilver. Some assert
that an eclipse of the sun had taken place; if this be true, the sun
was then in the head of the Dragon, and the moon in his tail, or
the sun in his tail and the moon in his head, in the fifth sign, and
the seventeenth degree of that sign. And the moon was then in
her twenty-seventh day. On the same day, and about the same
hour, many stars appeared. And on the same day, when the ships
were at anchor near the shore, ready for the king's voyage, the sea
being remarkably calm and a very moderate wind blowing, the
great anchors of one of the ships were suddenly torn out of the
ground as though by some violence, and the ship being set in
motion, (to the wonder of many who attempted to hold her, but
were unable,) moved the ship next to her, and thus eight ships
were set in motion by some unknown forces, and all of them were
injured. Many also said, that on the same day, and about the
same hour, they had seen many churches in the province of York
dripi)ing as if by a profuse ])erspiration. All these things happened,
as it has been said, on Wednesday, the 4th of the nones of August
[2d Aug.]. And on the sixth day of the same week, namely, on
the 2d of the nones of the same month [4th Aug.], in the morning,
a great eartlujuake took place in many parts of England. Some
A.D. 1135.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 349
people also said, that in the following week, on Tuesday, the 6th
of the ides of the same month [8th Aug.], when the moon was
three days old, they saw her first as she generally appeared at such
an age, and after a short interval in the evening of the same day,
they saw her full, after the manner of a shield, round and very
brilliant. Many also said that on the same night they had seen two
moons, distant from one another by about the length of a lance.
A.D. 1133. King Henry, however, crossed the sea, and left
England for Normandy, never again to return alive, never again to
see England. In the month of November, the city of Worcester,
as was often the case, was burnt.
A.D. 1134. Robert, brother of king Henry, formerly earl of
Normandy, was afterwards taken in war by him when in Normandy,
at a certain castle called Tenercebrei, and for some time was
placed in confinement in England; he died at Cairdif, was carried
to Gloucester, and buried in the pavement of the church, before the
altar, with great honour. Godfrey, bishop of Bath, died on the
17th of the kalends of September [16th Aug.]; he was succeeded,
in due time, by a monk named Robert, a Fleming by descent, but
born in England; Robert was made a bishop from a monk, for so
Henry bishop of Winchester had arranged it before he became
legate of the church of Rome, as he now is.
A.D. 1135. Henry, king of England, died on the 4th of the
nones of December [2d Dec], having reigned thirty-five years and
four months, being in the sixty-ninth year of his age ; and Stephen,
the son of his sister, being chosen to the kingdom of England, was
consecrated king at London, on Sunday, the 13th of the kalends of
January [20th Dec.]. Here also, by virtue of his royal prerogative,
he graciously held his court at Christmas, along with all the nobles
of England. After the conclusion of this holy festival, the body of
king Henry, lately deceased, was brought from Normandy into
England, and the king, attended by a great multitude of nobles,
went to meet it; and by reason of the love which he bore to his
uncle, he supported the bier on his royal shoulders, and with his
barons caused the body to be carried to Reading. Amid the cele-
bration of masses, divers precious offerings, alms given to a numerous
multitude of poor persons, and obsequies properly celebrated, after
his remains had been exposed on the bier, his tomb was erected
according to custom in the principal church of the most blessed
and glorious Virgin Mary, which king Henry himself, for the good
of his soul, had endowed with lands, woods, meadows, pastures,
and various ornaments ; he was buried before the altar, with great
pomp and honour. May king Henry, wealthy in earthly possessions,
rescued from pain, enjoy the delights of heaven !
After his death, during the reign of Stephen, as well as long
before, in every part of Normandy and England, the bond of peace
was broken asunder, and the greatest disorder prevailed. Every
man raised his hand against his neighbour; discord arose, and
found its way into the residences of the nobles, and wasted the
possessions of noble and ignoble. Every man spoiled another of his
property: the strong oppresses the weak by force, prevents any
350 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1136—
complaint being made by tlireatening further violence; the man who
resists is slain. The nobles of a wealthy land, rolling in riches, care
little how unjustly the wretched poor are treated; they care only
for themselves and their friends. Tliey store their castles and
towns with provisions, guard them with an armed military force ;
their chief fear is some political change, and thus they neglect to con-
sider that this is in the hand of God, for " his ways are past find-
ing out." Instead however of having everything settled peaceably,
out of fear of the king, (whom every one ought to regard as an
angry lion,) in many places, especially in Wales, depoputations and
depredations never cease, and from this one might easily see that
England was ruled by governors possessed of small prudence and
feeble determination, nay, rather by injustice than justice. Amid
dominant avarice and the worst self-seeking, there was no room for
temperance, the mother of all virtue. Stephen, king of England,
reached Devonshire with an army of horse and foot, with the
intention of besieging the castle of Exeter, which Baldwin, surnamed
Redvers, had fortified against him. At length the garrison sur-
rendered, provisions having failed them ; and after a treat)^ had been
offered and accepted, Baldwin, with his wife and daughters, was
outlawed and expelled from England. The venerable Ansger, abbot
of Reading, died on the 6th of the kalends of Februar)^ [27th
Jan.], and Godfrey, bishop of Bath, on the 17th of the kalends of
September [16th Aug.].
A.D. 1136. Immediately after the death of king Henr)^ on the
4th of the nones of December [2d Dec], a serious battle took place
on the kalends of January [1st Jan.], at Gower, between the Normans
and Welsh, where five hundred and sixteen of both sides perished.
Their bodies were horribly scattered about the field and devoured
by wolves. Afterwards a great irruption was made by the Welsh,
which was the occasion of a vast and wide-spread destruction of
churches, towns, wheat, and cattle, a burning of castles and other
fortified places, a slaughter, dispersion, and selling to foreign
lands of numberless men, both rich and poor, among whom the
noble and amiable Richard Fitz Gilebert was surprised and slain
by an ambush of the Welsh on the 17th of the kalends of May
[15th April], and his body was carried to Gloucester and honour-
ably buried in the chapter-house of the brethren. Afterwards in the
same year, a very bloody battle was fought at Cardigan, in the
month of October, in the second week, in which there was so great
a slaughter that (not taking into account the men who were carried
away into captivity) there remained ten thousand women, whose
husbands, with numberless children, had been cither drowned, or
burned, or put to the sword. And it was a wretched sight to see,
when the bridge over the river Teuwi broke down, and a bridge
consisting as well of human bodies as of the horses which had
been drowned therein was made for those who went to and fro.
William, archbishop of Canterbury, died at one of his vills, in the
15th year of his patriarchate, on the 12th of the kalends of
December [20th Nov.], and was buried at Canterbuiy. Guy,
abbot of Pershore, a man of great prudence, died on the nones of
A.D. 1137.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 351
August [5th Aug.]. Benedict, abbot of Tewkesbuiy, a man of
great religion and chastity, died on the ides of Marcli [15th
March].
A.D. 1137. Stephen, king of England, before Easter, which was
on the 4th of the ides of April [1 1 th April ?], went over sea in the
month of March, and sojourned in foreign parts. Griffin ap Rees,
king of Wales, was put to death by the artifice of his wife. After
the Welsh had suffered much in the defence of their native land,
not only at the hands of the rich Normans, but also of the Flem-
ings, and when many had fallen on both sides, they at length sub-
dued the Flemings, and ceased not to commit devastations all
round, burning the towns and castles, and murdering all who
resisted them, innocent or guilty, indifferently. One of these, a
soldier named Paganus, a man, as it is related, of wonderful
strength, when intending to capture and slay a party of Welsh
freebooters, was thrust through the head with a lance, and died,
and his body was taken to Gloucester, and is buried in the chapter-
house of the brethren. On the Friday in the week of Pentecost,
which fell on the 6th of the ides of June [8th June], the city of
York was burned, together with the principal monastery. Not long
after the city of Rochester was consumed. On Thursday, the 4th
of the kalends of August [29th July], the church of Bath, and in
the same month of August the city of Leicester, were consumed.
As we have learned from the relation of some credible witnesses,
one day while the people were standing at the celebration of mass
at Windsor, a light shone into the interior of the church ; astonished
at this, some persons went out of doors, and on looking upwards
saw an extraordinary star shining in the heavens ; and on their
return they perceived that the light which they had noticed
within the church, had descended from the star. Miracle suc-
ceeded miracle. Many beheld the cross which was standing over
the altar moving and wringing its hands, now the right hand with
the left, now the left hand with the right, after the manner of those
who are in distress. Next followed this miracle : the whole cross
began to tremble, and for nearly half an hour streamed all over
with perspiration, but returned afterwards to its former condition.
At Southwell, an archiepiscopal town, while a grave was being pre-
pared for an interment, the relics of some saints, and a glass vessel
containing some veiy clear water, supported on uprights, which
apparently protected it from being broken, were found ; this being
given to the sick and taken by them, they were restored to their
former health. The first of these miracles I relate as I heard it;
the second was narrated to me by Henry, bishop of Winchester.
Thurstan, archbishop of York, with Roger, bishop of Salisbury,
and some other bishops and nobles of the kingdom, held a council
at Northampton in the presence of many persons.
The see of Rome had now been disturbed for seven years by a
double papacy, that of Gregory, who was also called Innocent, and
of Peter, who was called Leo, in whose cause a war arose between
Lothaire, emperor of the Romans, and Roger, duke of Apulia. Both
these men were wealthy, but one was the superior in religion and
352 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1138.
dignity ; the other (to his own confusion) more hberal with his
gold. But imperial dignity, as is meet and just, excels all kingly
dignity in all things. Both appointed a pope at Rome. Lothaire
affirmed that Gregoiy was canonically elected ; Roger made a
grant of the papacy of the city of Rome to Peter [surnamed] Leo.
But this dissension between them being displeasing to the cardi-
nals and the prefect of the city, for the love of gold they received
as pope, first Gregoiy, to the expulsion of Leo, and then Leo, to
the exclusion of Gregory. At length Gregory was established by
Lothaire and ruled the apostolic see. Peter Leo, the whelp of the
ancient Peter the Lion, sits at the Lateran, like another pope ; but
if ambition for the dignity stimulated both, neither was pleasing to
God. While these things were happening in the world, they were
preserved for the judgment of God, whose judgments are as a deep
abyss. By reason of so great a dissension existing for so many
years in the chief of all churches through the world, by the com-
mon advice of the princes a day was appointed, on which a battle
was to be fought between the Romans and Apulians, in order that
the all-powerful God, the judge of all men, may assign the victory
to whom He shall please. The emperor Lothaire, though laid up
with illness, having assembled an immense army, encamped in
Apulia. Roger, having raised an army of many thousands of
infantry and cavalry, met him. A battle was fought, God dis-
posing the event so that the emperor and his army gained the
victory and triumphed, and Roger and his army lost the battle
and commenced a retreat ; his crown, with which he had caused
himself to be crowned king, adorned with gold and precious stones,
and the royal spear blazing with gold, were at length discovered by
treachery and delivered as an acceptable gift to the emperor, who,
returning to his country not long after, lost his kingdom and his
life. Louis, king of France, died, and his son Louis succeeded
him. In the month of December, Stephen, king of England,
returned to England ; and on the Nativity of the Lord, held his
court at Dunstaple, a town in Bedfordshire.
A.D. 1138. Conrad, the 99th emperor of the Romans, duke
of Bavaria, the nephew of Henry the elder, who had for empress
the daughter of Henry, king of England, reigned twelve years.
In old times, a race coming from the north penetrated the
land of Thuringia for the purpose of settling there ; whereupon
the inhabitants granted them a large portion of their territory, as
these foreigners requested. The people increased and multiplied
exceedingly. After tlie lai)se of a long period they refused to pay
the Thuringians tlic tribute which was due to them. As is the
custom of this nation, an armed convention was hereupon held by
both parties, in order that the debt might be demanded by the one,
and discharged by the other. Tins was done once and again with-
out a wound; on the third occasion it was agreed by both parties
that they should peacefully meet without arms. A large body ot
the foreigners, perceiving the feebleness of the Tlmringians, agreed
that the land was ill ruled both in the council- chamber and the
field of battle. On the appointed day they crowded to the discus-
A.D. 1138.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 353
sion, carrying secretly with them long sheathed knives for their
own defence. The question was discussed, not peacefully, but in
anger. What need of more words ? The Thuringians M'ere con-
quered ; the foreign and savage race triumphed ; for having drawn
their long knives, they slew many of the Thuringians. The old
inhabitants were expelled from their land in disgrace, nearly all their
country passed to those to whom inconstant fortune had given the
victory. At length, the land which up to that time had been
called Thuringia, was afterwards, by a change of name, called
Saxony, from these long and victorious knives.
After the conclusion of the feast of the Nativity of our Lord,
Stephen, king of England, besieged and took the castle of Bedford,
as he had before that of Exeter, hereby preserving the meaning of
his name. In consequence of the arrival of a messenger with
intelligence of the irruption of the enemy, the devastation of the
land, the burning of towns, the siege of castles and cities, he
proceeded with a strong force to Northumberland, where he re-
mained for a short time, and having with difficulty, though suc-
cessfully, accomplished the object of his expedition, he returned.
It was related by those who knew, that a dreadful irruption was
made into Northumberland and the surrounding country,, during
nearly six months, by many enemies of different races. Many were
captured, robbed, imprisoned, and tortured ; ecclesiastics were put
to death for the sake of the property of their churches, and scarce
any one can compute the number of the slain either on our side or
theirs. On the death of pope Leo, Innocent succeeded him, and
all who had adhered to the side of Peter against him, came to him
and were reconciled, after having made satisfaction in all things.
This pope consecrated at Rome, on Easter-day [3d April], Alberic,
abbot of Vercelli, as bishop of Ostia.
HOW THE DEVIL BECAME A MONK, BEING TAKEN IN THE SNARE OF
HIS OWN MALICE, WHILE IN THE SHAPE OF A BOY.
At this time a report flew to all parts that the following miracle
had taken place. In the archbishopric of Treves there is a noble
monastery, which is called Prum, dedicated in honour of SS. Peter
and Paul, apostles, and founded in old times by Pepin, king of
France, father of Charlemagne. In it the following extraordinary
occurrence is related to have happened, which is attested by all
who at that time were residing there. One morning, when the
cellarer of the monastery had entered the wine-cellar with his
servant for the purpose of procuring wine as usual for the sacrifice
of the altar, he found one of the casks which he had left full on the
preceding day emptied down to the bung-hole, and the wine spilled
over the whole of the pavement. Lamenting the accident which
had happened, he severely reprimanded the attendant who was stand-
ing by, saying, that he must have put in the spigot very negligently
on the evening before, and that the damage had thus arisen.
Having said this, he commanded him with threats to tell no person
what had happened ; for he was afraid that if the abbot were to hear
of it, he would deprive him of his office and disgrace him. When it
VOL. II. A A
354 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 113S.
was evening, before the brethren went to rest, he again entered the
cellar, and carefully closed the taps of the wine casks, and after
shutting the door, went to bed. In the morning, as soon as he
entered the cellar according to custom, he saw that another vessel
had been emptied, as on the previous day, down to the bung-hole,
and the wine was running about. Seeing this, and not knowing to
whose negligence to blame the damage, he took the matter heavily
to heart, marvelling greatly, and strictly commanding his ser\'ant
to tell no man what had occurred. Before he went to bed that
evening, he fastened all the bungs with the utmost care, and in
sorrow and anxiety lay down to rest. Rising early in the morning,
and opening the cellar, for a third time he saw that the bung had
been taken out of a cask, and that the wine had streamed out of
the hole. Being alarmed at this, (and not without cause,) and
fearing to conceal any longer the common loss, he hastened to the
abbot, and throwing himself at his feet, told him all that he had
seen; the abbot, after taking counsel with the friars, commanded
that the bung-holes of such barrels as contained wine should be
anointed all round, towards the evening, with chrism ; and this was
accordingly done. At daybreak, the aforesaid friar, when he
entered the cellar according to custom, found a marvellously little
black boy sticking by the hands to one of the bungs ; he speedily
seized him, and bringing him before the abbot, " Behold," said he,
" master, this little creature whom you see has caused us all the
damage which we have suft'ered in our cellar:" saying which, he
related to the abbot how he had found the dwarf sticking to the
barrel. The abbot, astonished at the incredible dwarfishness of the
urchin, after consultation, ordered that a monk's dress should be
prepared for him, and that he should be brought up in the cloister
with the scholars of his own age. This was done, and the boy, as
the abbot had commanded, associated with the scholars day and
night, never however taking drink or meat, and never speaking in
public or private ; while the others were at rest by night or in nnd-
day, he sat upon his bed constantly weeping, and pouring forth
incessant lamentations. Meanwhile, the abbot of another house,
coming to pray in the monastery, was detained there for some
days ; and while the scholars were frequently passed before him,
while he sat with the abbot and the superiors of the house, the
little boy, stretching forth his hands to him, cast a tearful glance at
him, as if to make some request. When he repeated this fre-
quently, the abbot, wondering at his smallness, asked of those who
sat near him, for what purpose they kept so small a boy in the
monastery with them? They, smiling, said, "Master, this small
boy is not what you think him;" and they narrated to him the
damage which he had done them, and how he had been found
sticking by the hands to the bung of a cask; and how taciturn he -
had been, while coming in and going out among them. Hearing
this, the abbot was afraid, and groaning deeply, said, " Expel him
with all haste from your monastery, lest ye incur a greater loss, or
run a more serious risk : for he is clearly a devil concealed in
human form ; but by the mercy of God protecting you, through
A.D. 1138.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 355
the merits of the saints, whose reUcs ye have here, he has been
unable to injure you any further."
Forthwith, at the command of the abbot of the same church, the
boy was produced ; and as soon as they had stripped him of his
monkish garments, he vanished from among them, as if it had been
smoke,
Stephen, king of England, held a council at Northampton, in
the octave of Easter, which was on the 4th of the ides of April
[10th April], and archbishop Thurstan presided, together with the
bishops, abbots, earls, barons, and all the nobles of England. In
this council, an archdeacon, named Robert, being chosen by a few,
vvas made bishop of the church of Exeter, at that time destitute of
a bishop in consequence of the death of William de Warawast.
Two abbeys were also given away, that of Winchcombe to a monk
of Cluny, as it is related, a kinsman of the king, by name Robert ;
the other, that of York, to a monk. One of these, the elect of
Winchecumbe, was ordained abbot of the church of Winchecumbe
by the venerable bishop Simon, on the day of Pentecost, the 11th
of the kalends of June [22d May]. The king having removed his
troops from Northampton, went to Gloucester ; his arrival having
been expected, the citizens met him at a distance of more than
five miles with great joy, and conducted him into their city with
honour; and there, on the third Rogation day [10th May], he
was received with the honours of a procession by the monks. There
he laid his royal ring upon the holy altar, which was brought back
to him on the same day by the royal chaplains, after the payment
of fifty shillings. Then Milo, at that time his constable, conducted
him to the palace with honour, where the citizens on the ensuing
day swore allegiance to him. On the third day, which was [Holy]
Thursday, the king returned with his court to the monastery,
and was present at the solemnization of masses and processions
in honour of our Lord's Ascension. After this festival was con-
cluded, the king heard of a castle which was being fortified against
him at Hereford, and marched thither with all speed; on his
arrival there, he discovered that what he had heard was true. He
remained in the same place for near four or five weeks, and sent
orders through England that forces should come to his assistance,
for the purpose of subduing all his enemies. "Wliile the king was
there, the city of Hereford below the bridge of the Wye was
burnt. Not long after, the lamentable conflagration of the city
of Oxford reached the ears of the king and all his court. The
garrison of Hereford, seeing that the king would gain a victory over
them from the great magnitude of his army, entered into a treaty
and surrendered themselves. And since he was, nay is, a king who
loves peace and gentleness, he injured no person, but permitted his
enemies to go free. The king took the town called Wibbeleage,
which Geofirey de Talbot, after\vards a fugitive, had held against
him ; by whose art and ingenuity in those parts the rebels had
been upheld in their rebellion; and this and the aforesaid castle of
Hereford he garrisoned with soldiers. Meanwhile, Alberic, bishop
A A 2
356 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1138,
of Ostia, came to England as legate, to root up, destroy, build,
and plant all things necessary. After letters from the apostolic
see had been read before the king and the nobles of England, out
of reverence of the apostolic see, he was at length received, though
after some delay. Going the round of England, he observed all
things, and kept in mind whatever ought to be corrected by the
provision and appointment of a council. The king, after having
resided for some time at Hereford, left it along with his people.
After his departure, on Thursday, the 17th of the kalends of July
[15th June], the whole city beyond the river Wye was burned by
the aforesaid Geoftrey, none of our men, but seven or eight of the
Welsh, having been killed. I omit saying anything of the blood-
shed of many others, for I am ignorant on this point, but I pray
That every Christian may repose in peace.
If John offend, may he be corrected by the reader of these.
Tlien the king, the Nativity of St. John [24th June] being near,
set out for Oxford, and hearing that the castle of Devizes was
being fortified against him, sent messengers to the builder of the
castle, Roger, bishop of Salisbury, then stationed at Malmesbury,
and commanded him to come and speak with him. The bishop,
it is said, set forth on this journey with great unwillingness,
as though he should never return, and took with him his two
nephews, the bishops of Lincoln and Ely, with a great assembly of
soldiers, armed and mounted. Seeing this, the king, suspecting
treason, ordered his men to arm and to be ready, if need should
arise, to defend him. Wliile the king was discussing various
matters with the bishops, a great and furious tumult arose between
the soldiers of both sides concerning their lodgings ; when the
king's soldiers ran to their arms, the bishop's men took flight,
leaving all their armour behind them. Roger, bishop of Salisbury,
with the bishop of Lincoln, and his son Roger, surnamed Pauper,
was captured by the king; the bishop of Ely escaped, and having
reached the castle of Devizes, he fortified it, and held it against
the king.
While the king, being angry, was preparing to pursue him, he
placed the captured bishops in custody, namely one of them, Roger,
in a cow-house, in the oxen's rack, and the other under a vile shed,
while he resolved to hang the third unless the castle were speedily
surrendered to him. Seeing this, and fearing for his son's safety,
Roger bound himself by an oath that he would neither eat nor drink
until the king gained possession of the aforesaid castle, which he
accomplished; for during three days he neither did the one nor the
other. Thence the king advanced with his royal retinue, on his
march to London. But Geoffrey de Talbot, deserting the peace-
loving king with his followers, repaired to the son of the earl of
Gloucester, who then held the castle of Bristol against the king,
and offered himself for the defence of that place. One day, as if to
give assistance to a certain straggler, but more, as it afterwards
appeared, to reconnoitre Bath, with a view to its subsequent
assault, in company with two valiant knights, William Hoset a:id
A.D. 1133.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 357
another, he proceeded thither; and this being known, Robert,
bishop of Bath, thinking to triumph over the king's enemies,
marched cautiously and in battle array to meet them ; whereupon
two of them took to flight, and Geoffrey was made prisoner.
The garrison of Bristol being incensed thereat, approached Bath in
hostile fashion with their lord, the earl's son ; they despatched an
envoy after the prelate, and threatened that unless their fellow-soldier,
Geoffrey, were set free, they would hang the bishop and his com-
panions. Hereupon the bishop, like a timid hireling, brought forth
Geoffrey out of prison and delivered him up to them. Wlien this
reached the king's ears, his anger was hot against the bishop,
regarding him as the abettor of his enemies; and had he been
influenced by anger rather than by the love of peace, he would have
deprived him of his pastoral staff". But since the bishop had thus
acted under constraint and against his own will, the king gave not
place to his wrath, upon which, according to the rule of the apostle,
it is sinful to let the sun go down. The king, however, afterwards
did what he had resolved on in council, for he sent a large army to
Bath, that they, by strengthening the city, might defend it from the
enemy. Not long afterwards the king marched against Bristol,
where, at that time, there had sprung up, as from hell, a series of
cruelties worthy of the days of Nero or Decius, through the means
of a certain kinsman of the earl, Philip Gay by name. By his
agency there were invented there various cruel torments, which
thence were disseminated far and wide throughout England, and
reduced the whole island nearly to nothing. The king, therefore,
having wasted and burnt the surrounding lands and towns of the
earl of Gloucester, laid siege to the castle; but at length, weary of
the tedious blockade, he diverged to besiege the earl's other castles,
Gary in Dorsetshire, and Harptree in Somersetshire ; and then,
having thrown up and manned castles in front of them, he departed
and marched with the whole of his army to Dudley castle, which
Ralph Paignel held against him. There he set fire to the sur-
rounding country, and took and carried off much cattle ; and then
went by sea, together with a large body of his soldiers, to besiege
Shrewsbury castle, which William Fitz Alan held against him. This
William, however, having heard of the king's approach, secretly
took flight with his wife, his sons, and some others, leaving in the
castle those who had sworn to him that they would not surrender
it. After a siege of many days, a machine was prepared to assault
it, constructed in the following fashion, as was related by those to
whom it was known, A large mass of timber was heaped up and
brought forward, the castle moat, by the king's command, was
filled, fire was kindled, the smoke rose in the air and smothered
all. The royal gate was forced open. The wretched defenders,
falling from or creeping out of the castle, all sought safety in flight,
and by the king's orders they were pursued and all put to death.
Five of the most noble men among them were hung. The enemy
being thus vanquished, the king departed thence and marched upon
Wareham. A treaty having been entered into, Ralph Paignel was
reconciled to the kina; for a time.
358 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 113S—
In the meantime a conspiracy was set on foot against the king
by the aforesaid earl of Bristol and Milo the constable. They
abjured the fealty that they had sworn, and despatched messengers
to the city of Anjou, to summon the ex-empress, king Henry's
daughter, promising her that within the space of five months she
should be the mistress of her father's kingdom, as it had been
sworn unto her during the lifetime of her father. Tliis was the
beginning of evil. This grievous breach of faith, yea almost the
last, brought ruin upon the whole country.
WHiile this was going on, David, king of Scotland, issuing for the
third time with a great multitude of men and horses from the fast-
nesses of the confines of his kingdom, began to burn fields, towns,
and castles round the borders of Northumberland, and to devastate
nearly the whole country. As he now threatened to march as far
as York and the Humber, Thurstan, archbishop of York, summoned
a meeting of the province, and caused them by common assent
and counsel to promise by oath that they would resist the king.
The king of Scotland was still more irritated herewith, so much so
that he would be restrained by no dissuasions, but marching as far
as the river Tees, on the 8th day of the Assumption of St. IMary
[22d Aug.], which fell on a Monday, he gave orders to surprise our
men, there being a thick fog on the morning of that day. And
thus, hoping to steal upon us unawares, he left many towns
untouched, and contrary to custom forbade his men to set fire to
any place. Our forces, meanwhile, being tardily warned by a
certain esquire, were nearly taken by surprise, but they armed and
arrayed themselves with the greatest haste, and sent out archers to
the extreme van, by whom the Scottish army suffered much loss.
Then the royal barons themselves marched with the soldiers, for
they had all dismounted and placed themselves in the front ranks,
and so they fought hand to hand with the enemy. Wliereupon in
the very first charge victory crowned their efforts ; for the Scots,
giving way immediately, either fell, or fled in the greatest terror.
Our men, however, being on foot and all their horses at a distcuice,
were unable to pursue them long, otherwise they had either cap-
tured or slain the king himself, his son, and all his host. As it was,
nearly ten thousand of his men fell in different places, and fifty of
the flower of his army were made prisoners. He himself escaped
by flight, but with the greatest fear and dishonour. His chan-
cellor, William Comyn, was captured by the bishop of Durham,
but being freed from his chains he gave thanks to God, heaitily
hoping he should never again fall into such peril. The king's son,
also, attended by one knight only, came on foot to Carlisle, his
father barely escaping by woods and thickets to Roxburgh. His
army, which consisted of French as well as of English, Scotch, and
Galwegians, and men of all the isles which belonged to him and his
realm, was innumerable. Out of two hundred of his mailed war-
riors only nineteen carried back their armour, for each had thrown
away nearly all that he had, which became a prey to the enemy;
whereby immense spoil both of horses, arms, and clothing, and
many other articles, was pillaged from his army. Eustace Fitz
A.D. 1139.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 359
John was his companion, and came to the same end with himself,
escaping wounded with his bare life to his castle. These were the
brave men who fought in the name of Christ for king Stephen : the
earl of Albemarle, Bernard de Balliol, and many others, the earl
himself behaving with great valour in the tight.
The king of Scotland, after this reverse, in order to comfort his
people and console himself, laid siege with all his forces and many
and various engines and inventions to Wark castle, or Carram,
belonging to Walter de Spec, and from his former investment of
which he had been driven by the earl of Mellent ; but owing to the
obstinate defence by the garrison, his efforts were but of little avail.
For they made frequent sallies from the castle, and either cut down
or burnt his engines, slaying many men. Wherefore he now
despaired of being able to take it.
On the seventh of October, on the 29th day of the moon, in the
twilight of the night before Saturday, the whole firmament towards
the north appeared of a red colour, and rays of divers blended colours
appeared and vanished. These things were significant perchance of
that mighty shedding of blood which we have mentioned as having
occurred throughout Northumberland and many other parts of Eng-
land. A man of great religion, a monk of the cell of Eye, by name
William, who had already been elected by Simon, bishop of Worcester,
was ordained abbot of Pershore on Sunday, the 1 2th of the kalends of
December [20th Nov.] . Roger, bishop of Salisbury, a mighty builder
of castles, walls, and houses, being borne down and brought to the
close of life by sorrow and grief, died at his episcopal see on the
2d of the nones of December [4th Dec], and was buried in that
church, leaving in his castles an immense sum of money, which he
bequeathed to the use, not of God, but of king Stephen. There
are those who say that more than forty thousand silver marks were
there found, and that he had likewise hoarded up an enormous
amount of gold with a variety of ornaments, and knew not for
whom he had amassed them. He adorned with magnificent
decoration a church in honour of the holy IMother of God.
In the year 1138 from the incarnation of our Lord, and in the
ninth of the pontificate of pope Innocent, being the third of king
Stephen's reign, a synod was held at London in the church of St.
Peter, at Westminster, on the 13th day of December, in which,
after many causes had been discussed, chapters were published and
confirmed by all to the number of sixteen. Over this council pre-
sided Alberic, bishop of Ostia, the papal legate in England and
Scotland, with the bishops of divers provinces to the number of
seventeen, of abbots about thirty, and an immense multitude of
clergy and the people.
A.D. 1139. The solemnization of Christmas being over, and the
Purification of the holy Mother IMaiy [2d Feb.] at hand, the
venerable father Walter, abbot of Gloucester, in the ninth year and a
half of his preferment, and about the third hour of the day, gave
up the ghost, and was buried by the venerable abbots, Reynold of
Evesham and Roger of Tewkesbuiy, on the 6th of the ides of
February [8th Feb.]. After his burial two friars are despatched to
360 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1139.
the monastery of Cluny, on the business of our elect Gilbert; on
whom king Stephen, having heard the fame of his extraordinary
goodness, had at the petition of his constable Milo conferred at
London the church of Gloucester. Theobald, archbishop of
Canterbury, Simon of Worcester, Roger of Coventry, Robert of
Exeter, and Reynold, abbot of Evesham, having been unanimously
elected, went, at the pope's command, to the shrine of St. Peter.
Having arrived there, they were received with honour by the
apostolic see, and admitted to the Roman council, an event with-
out parallel for many past ages. After having fully discussed their
cause, they returned joyfully to their own country, bringing with
them the synodal decrees, now enrolled far and wide throughout
England. The two friars also who had been despatched to fetch the
lord abbot Gilbert, returned in peace, after having presented him
to king Stephen, by whom he was honourably received, and the
government of the church of Gloucester was freely bestowed upon
him; he arrived at Worcester on the holy day of Pentecost, which
was then celebrated on the 3d of the ides of June [11th June],
and he was ordained by Robert, the venerable bishop of Hereford,
with great rejoicings and thanksgiving; and afterwards, on the
following day, with the good wishes of many people of all con-
ditions, he was established in his see with joy and gladness, as
befitted such a man in the Lord.
In the octave of Easter, which was on the 2d of the kalends of
May [30th April], Stephen, the magnificent king of the English,
coming with a royal retinue to Worcester, was received by a festive
procession of all the clergy and people of the surrounding country.
When prayer was concluded and the accustomed blessing pro-
nounced, the king offered on the altar the royal ring which he had
taken from his finger, and on the morrow it was restored to him by
common consent. Therefore, the king, filled with admiration at
the humble devotion of the monks of Gloucester, yea rather of
God's flock, took back the ring as he had been adjured by the love
of Mary, the holy IVIother of God. Thence, departing from
Worcester, the king encamped at Ludlow, where a double fortifi-
cation was erected for the storming of the castle which held out
against him, and returning through Worcester, he marched towards
London. Certain of the soldiers, caring little for the horrors of
war, in their presumption demanded to try their strength on
Ludlow ; and in the furtherance of this enterprise a large army of
men began to flock together. Truly it was a misery to behold one
brandishing his spear in the face of another, and piercing him with
the lance, and thus deliver him unto death, regardless of the judg-
ment which the spirit would have to undergo. But king Stephen
struck terror into these designs by his threats, for he marched
a second time from Ludlow through Worcester, and reduced all to
peace, and quietly marched to Oxford, which means The ford of
the oxen. During his stay there, he was justified in arresting
Roger, bishop of Salisbury, his nephew, the bishop of Lincoln, and
also Roger his chancellor, as conspirators against his royal crown,
vind committing them to custody. Upon hearing this, Nigel, bishop
A.D. 1139.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 361
of Ely, fearful for himself and his people, fled with an army to
Devizes, that he might there find protection, the cause for which
has been fully treated of in the foregoing pages, yet seems this year
to have been repeated over again. A council being afterw^ards held,
an order was issued that all towns, castles and fortifications what-
ever, in which secular affairs were mainly transacted, should yield
to the right of the king and his barons; but that churchmen, the
bishops, namely, (God's watch-dogs I call them,) should not cease
to bark in defence and protection of their flock, and keep vigilant
watch lest the invisible wolf, their malignant foe, should scatter and
seize upon the sheep.
In the month of October, the earl of Gloucester, bastard son of
Henry, formerly king of England, with his sister by the father's
side, formerly empress of the Romans, and now countess of Anjou,
returned to England with a large army, and arrived at Portsmouth
before the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula, on the kalends of August
[1 st Aug.], the king being then engaged in the siege of Marlborough ;
by whose arrival terror pervaded all England. Upon hearing this,
king Stephen was angry, and his wrath broke out upon those whose
duty it was to have guarded the sea-ports. He is the king of peace,
and would also that he were the king of vigour and justice, treading
under foot his enemies, weighing all things in the equal balance of
justice, and preserving and strengthening in the bonds of fortitude
the friends of peace. When, however, he knew that the ex-queen
had received the ex-empress with her large retinue at Arundel, he
marched thither in displeasure. But she, dreading the king, and
fearing she should lose the dignity which she held in England,
swore that none of his enemies had reached England by her means,
but that, saving her dignity, she had granted hospitality to men of
authority as to persons once in her service. Whereupon the king,
having dismissed her, commanded the ex-empress to be conducted
to Bristol castle, to his brother the bishop of Winchester, with such
honour as befitted his kinswoman; but he himself followed in
pursuit of the earl. Hearing no certain news of him, howevei' — for
he had betaken himself into certain by-paths for a time — he
marched his forces according to his previous determination. Milo
the constable, after having sworn an oath of fealty to the king,
went over with a large military force to his lord, while the earl of
Gloucester promised him that he would faithfully assist him against
the king. The misfortunes, however, which now sprang up
throughout England, from this quarter, namely, the town of
Bristol, are beyond the knowledge or eloquence of man to describe.
For of those who resisted or obeyed the royal authority, as many
as could be taken are made prisoners, and the captives all given up
to chains and frightful torments ; a variety of cruel punishments is
devised, troops of soldiers are being hired on every side for the
consummation of this work of destruction, and to these the husband-
men and the inhabitants of villages and towns, with all their
property and substance, are given and sold for pay.
The queen remained in this place for more than two months,
receiving homage from all, and dispensing the laws of the kingdom
362 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.d. 1139.
of England according to her pleasure. Departing thence, she came
on the 18th of the kalends of Novemher [15th Oct.] to the town
of Gloucester, where she assumed the command and took the
hom_age of the citizens and the surrounding districts. But upon
those who refused to submit to her, and preferred to remain
faithful to the king, torments worthy of the age of Decius or
Nero were inflicted, and death in many cases ensued; and the city,
glorious in past ages, became filled •v^ath direful bowlings and
tortures, shocking to those who dwelt within it. In the midst of
all these miseries the king laid siege to the liostile castle of
Wallingford. Tired of the protracted blockade, after having erected
castles against it, he marched thence and encamped at Malmesbury,
where he enacted the same part against his adversaries, the workers
of discord.
In the midst of these events, sad tidings came to the ears
of the citizens of Worcester ; and it was generally reported
that their city was to be sacked, pillaged of its wealth, and
destroyed by fire. When the citizens heard this, they were
terrified, and consulted as to what were best to be done. \\Tiere-
upon they put themselves under the protection of God, the most
High Father, and his most holy Mother, and under the tutelage
of the confessors Oswald and Wolstan, bishops of that city, and
thus committed themselves and all belonging to them to the
divine protection. Any one there present might have seen the
whole furniture of all the citizens carried into the church. Oh !
miserable sight ! Behold, the house of God, v/hich should have been
entered with sacrifices, where the sacrifice of praise should have
been offered up and the loftiest vows recorded, seems now but a
warehouse for furniture. Behold the mother church of the diocese
converted into an inn and council-chamber of the citizens ! By
reason of the number of chests and sacks, but little space remained
to the servants of God in such an hostelry. Within chanted the
monk, without might be heard the sobbing of the infant, and the
wail of children at the breast, and cries of sorrowing mothers
mingled with the voices of the singers. Oh ! misery of miseries to
behold ! The high altar stood robbed of its decorations, the cross
pulled down, and the image of Mary, the most holy JNIother of
God, removed from sight. Curtains and palls, albs and copes, stoles
and other vestments, were hidden within tlie shelter of the walls. At
the celebration of divine service on saints' festivals, dignity, honour,
and all the wonted magnificence were wanting. Out of fear for the
enemy, everything was so arranged, lest the foe, stealing upon them
unawares, should bear off whatever he could find, and thus iniquity
should prevail. At daybreak one morning in the beginning of
winter, namely, on Tuesday, the 7th of the ides of November [7th
Nov.], whilst we were engaged in divine service within the church,
and had already chanted our primes, behold, our apprehensions
were realized, — a great army, strong and valiant, marched from the
south. The city of Gloucester, having furnished itself with a
countless host of horse and foot soldiers, marches to invade, sack,
and burn the city of Worcester. We, however, in our appre-
A.D. 1139.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 363
hension for the ornaments of the sanctuary, clothed ourselves in
our albs, and carried the relics of Oswald our most benignant
patron, we tolled all our bells, and marched in humble procession
out of the church; and as the enemy were rushing in from gate to
gate, we proceeded through the cemetery. Our enemies hasten to
make their first united attack upon a certain fortification of great
strength, situated in the southern portion of the city near the castle,
which was manfully and courageously resisted by our people. The
foe were repulsed at this point; but a beacon opposite the north
was set on fire, and then they stormed the north side of the town;
here, meeting with no resistance, an excited and unbridled rabble
rush in and fire the buildings in many parts. Woe is me ! much
of the town was destroyed by the flames, though the larger portion
remained standing and uninjured. An immense booty of various
furniture was carried off from the city, and of oxen, sheep, cattle,
and horses, from the country. Many people were taken in the
streets and courts ; they were bound in couples like hounds, and
carried away unto a miserable captivity. Whether they possessed
the means or no, whatever sum was fixed by their cruel captors for
their ransom, that they were compelled upon their oath to promise
to pay, and to pay. The deeds done on the first day of winter were
very grievous. And now the prey being secured, and numbers of
buildings destroyed by fire, the maddened and drunken rout retrace
their steps, never to return on a like depraved errand. On the
30th day of November, the earl of Worcester came to the city, and
when he had beheld the ravages of the flames, he grieved and felt
that the blow had been struck for his own injury, and wishing to
revenge himself for this, he marched with an army to Sudely, for
he had heard that John, the son of Harold, had deserted from the
king, and had gone over to the earl of Gloucester. If it be
inquired what the earl did there, the answer must be such as
should hardly be handed down to memory; for he returned evil
for evil, by seizing and carrying off from the men there great booty
of their goods and cattle, with which, on the morrow, he returned
to Worcester.
After these things, the king with a large army marched from
Oxford to Worcester; and what he had previously heard of its mis-
fortunes, he now beheld with his eyes ; and he grieved thereat.
Having stayed there for three or five days he bestowed the honour
of royal constable, of which he had deprived Milo of Gloucester,
his enemy, upon William, the son of Walter de Beauchamp, sheriff
of Worcester. A lying report reached the king that his enemies,
having violated their sworn promises of peace, had invaded Hereford,
and penetrated into the monastery of St. Ethelbert, king and
martyr, as if it had been a fortified castle. Whereupon, setting
out thither, he encamped at Little Hereford, or Leominster, where
certain of the inhabitants swore fealty to him advisedly, while
others refusing, thus spoke, " If the king will not believe our oaths,
he may at least, if he will, rely upon our faithful words." When
the solemn days of the Lord's Advent were at hand [3d Dec], a
treaty was made and confirmed on both sides, after which the king
364 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1140.
returned to Worcester, where a certain clerk, (a man of exemplary
piety,) Maurice by name, had been elected by the clergy and the
people to the church of Bangor, and was presented to the king in
the castle by the bishops Robert of Hereford and Sigefrid of
Chichester; these made oath that he had been canonically elected,
and would be worthy of the see, and the king confirmed their
election. Being urged by the bishops to do fealty to the king,
Maurice answered that he could in no wise do so. " There is a
man of religion amongst us," said he, " whom I hold for my
spiritual father, and who was archdeacon to my predecessor David,
and he forbade me to take this oath." To which they made
answer, " Reason requires that you should do what we demand."
Then he exclaimed, " If you, who are men of great authority,
require this, far be it from me to delay doing so," and so he swore
fealty to the king.
From Worcester the king went to Oxford, and thence, with his
court, to SaUsbury, where he intended to celebrate his Christmas,
and, as was the royal custom, to wear his crown. The canons
offered two thousand pounds to him on his arrival, upon which he
conferred upon them the entire exemption from all taxes upon
their land; moreover he gave them twenty marks for their own
use, and forty for roofing the church, and he promised that if he
should obtain peace, he would refund to them what they had
bestowed upon him.
A.D. 1140. A few days after Christmas the king came with his
court to Reading, where fate gave a lesson teaching us of what
value is the kingly dignity. There by advice of his attendants he
provided two abbeys, Malmsbury and Abbotsbuiy, with their own pas-
tors. These bishop Roger in his lifetime had held, after having strip-
ped them of their honour and privileges. Malmsbur}^ he bestowed
upon a monk called John, a man of great probity, and the abbey of
Abbotsbury he gave to Gosfrid. Then for the purpose of securing
peace and tranquillity he marched his forces to Ely, a measure
which in my opinion was entirely unnecessary, and which at the
same time was a deplorable business, thereby sanctioning the thirst
of vain glory among his soldiers, by permitting them to harass his
army. They all agree to the proposal, they array themselves for
war, the conqueror takes from the conquered everything specified
in the detestable bond of avarice, and, if I may compare great
things with small, they whisper to one another like Juda and his
brother Jonathan dwelling in the land of Gilead, to Joseph and
Azarias, — " Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the
heathen that are round about us." They slaughter one another
with sword and spear, little heeding what will become of the
wretched souls of the slain ! During the rebellion of the king's
opponents, many on both sides were wounded, taken prisoners,
and consigned to captivity. The bishop of Ely, perceiving the
valorous charge of the king and his troop, gave ground, yea, fled
like a hireling, and he taking himself to the neighbourhood of the
town of Gloucester, went over to earl Robert. Nor is this
wonderful, for it had been to him as the loss of his right hand
A.D. 1140.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 365
when his uncle Roger, bishop of Salisbury, died. The king, how-
ever, got possession of Ely castle, and posted his men therein.
Thurstan, archbishop of York, the twenty-sixth in succession, a
man of advanced age and full of days, having laid aside the old
man put on the new ; for bidding farewell to secular pursuits he
dons the monkish habit at Pomfret, on the 12th of the kalends of
February, [21st Jan.], and on the nones of February [5th Feb.], he
departed this life in a good old age, and there he was buried.
Milo, the ex-constable, having collected a great army, invaded
Winchcombe on Thursday the 2d of the kalends of February [31st
Jan.], burned the greatest part of the town, plundered it, and
carried off the spoil, the mammon of unrighteousness being (albeit
unjustly) required of them. Tlience he marched to Sudely.
Whilst he was in mind to attack it, the troops which were in the
town made a stand and compelled him to retreat, leaving, as it is
said, two of his men killed and fifteen taken prisoners. The
king and the earl of Worcester came with a great army to
Worcester, and after the lapse of a few days, first the earl and
afterwards the king advanced with a vast host to Little Hereford,
purposing to drive out their enemies. During the king's stay in
these parts the earl, remembering the injuries inflicted upon his
townsmen, invaded Tewkesbury with a large force of armed men,
and burned the magnificent house of the earl of Gloucester, and
everything in its vicinity, together with those of some other persons
within one mile's distance of Gloucester ; but at the supplication of
the lord abbot of Tewkesbury and his brethren, the conqueror
spared their goods. Having taken no small booty, both of men
and their apparel and cattle, he mercifully commanded that the
prisoners be speedily released from their fetters, and return to their
own houses; and on the morrow he set out for Worcester, pro-
testing to all that he had scarcely ever either in Normandy or
England accomplished such a burning. But the king on his return
to Worcester hastened his march to Oxford. The before-men-
tioned INIaurice and Uhtred were consecrated bishops of Bangor
and LandafF, by Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, in the pre-
sence of the bishops of Hereford and Exeter. The king, on his
arrival at Winchester, by advice of his barons, bestowed the
bishopric of Salisbury upon his chancellor Philip, and the abbey of
Fescamp upon Heniy, a monk, his kinsman. An eclipse of the sun
takes place while the moon occupies the tail of Draco, the sun
itself illuminating the head. By advice of the barons of Philip
king of France, and Stephen king of England, it was settled that
the son of the latter should take to wife the French king's sister.
The betrothal took place abroad in the month of February, in the
presence of the queen mother of England, and before a large
number of the barons of both kingdoms. A certain knight, by
name Robert, was the son of a nobleman named Hulbert. He,
fearing neither God nor man, but relying entirely on his own
strength, with his many cunning devices, assailed the castle
of Malmesbury. Whereupon many of the king's troops which
were within fled to the cliurch of the holy bishop Aldelm, as to a
366 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1140,
sanctuary. In pursuit of these he one day entered the chapter of the
monks with his armed knights, terrifying them with threats, and
commanding them to give up to him the king's men with their
horses if they valued the safety of their own wealth. But they,
fearful of infringing the peace of God and their blessed patron
Aldelm, refuse to obey these commands, till at length, (though
unwillingly, and in order to appease his fur)%) they deliver up the
horses. After they had remained for a long time in the castle and
had laid waste the surrounding country, the king came up with his
army and besieged it for nearly three days. M^illiam de Ypres,
as it is reported, a kinsman of this Robert, acted as the mediator
upon both sides for the surrender of the castle, and at last obtained
the king's consent that the castle should be delivered up upon the con-
dition that ever}thing should be surrendered to the king, and this was
done. Robert therefore joined the earl of Gloucester, and remained
for a while with him, all the while meditating treachery. Unknown to
the earl, shortly afterwards, (for he was untaught by experience and
bent on revenge,) he repaired with his men to Devizes, where an
agreement having been first made between himself and his fol-
lowers that the castle once taken should never be surrendered, he
scaled the wall with cruel cunning, and giving the signal of victory
to the king's soldiers who were within, he penetrated the outer
defences unobserved, and acted the tyrant upon all. On the
fourth day afterwards, by force and subtlety he gained possession
of the inner tower, and in the pride of his heart he continually ra-
vaged the whole neighbourhood everywhere, and whatever evil he
could do he ceased not from doing. At length he went to John, a
man illustrious in war, who was then the governor of the castle of
Marlborough for the king's service, and he demanded with threats
that he should be guided by his advice, yea, rather his instigation,
and do the work of Satan against not only the king but tlie earl
and every one else, assuring him that if he would not comply, he
should immediately lose his head. John replied, — " By God's
help I would sooner take a man than be taken by him," and imme-
diately seized him and consigned him to prison, where turn for
turn he caused every description of torture which he in his cruelty
had inflicted upon others to be applied to himself. ^Vl^en all these
things became known, the earl of Gloucester and Milo the ex-
constable, with many men, came to the said John, to whom the
earl promised to give five hundred marks, with the agreement that
he should deliver up to him the said Robert on an appointed day,
and give good hostages for himself. John being pacified with the
promised money and hostages, ga ve up Robert to him, with the
understanding that within fifteen days he should be restored to
him. This agreement completed, the earl returned to Gloucester,
carrying the said Robert with him, and a discussion followed
touching the surrender of the castle of Devizes, which he de-
manded should be freely given up to him ; but Robert refused, lest
he should break the oath which he had sworn to his comrades, to
wit, that the castle should not be surrendered. But being terrified
by threats of the gallows, he answered that he would yield to his
A.D. 1140.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 367
request, provided he might only escape death. Within the time
appointed in the agreement this maUgnant Robert was led back to
the presence of John, to whom the earl told everything which had
happened, and how Robert, under the fear of his menaces, had
promised to deliver up the castle. He also asked him again to
permit Robert to accompany him to Devizes, with the understand-
ing that if he should succeed in making himself master of the
castle it should be placed in John's command under him ; and
upon his prayers being acceded to, the earl returned immediately
to Devizes with Robert. In the meantime the said John de-
spatched letters to all, both within and without the castle, swearing
that neither he nor the earl would do any injury to Robert, pro-
vided only they would firmly keep their oath in not surrendering
the castle to any one. Leaving the ex-constable and a certain
powerful personage named Humphrey, with some others, behind
him, the earl returned to Gloucester, after giving directions to all
that in case Robert refused to deliver up the castle of his own
accord he should be hung.^ Robert did refuse, as did his
comrades also, lest they should appear perjured. In short, he was
taken and hanged as a warning to others, after his two nephews
had shared the same fate. Glory be to God Almighty that He has
delivered up the wicked !
Before the Assumption of St. Mary [15th Aug.] the earl of
Gloucester marched against Bath ; but the king had long before
this sent out spies to entrap the enemy, and defend themselves and
their possessions to the uttermost. A hostile meeting consequently
took place ; on the one hand the soldiers of the king, among whom
were two knights, John and Roger, both valiant and warlike men ;
on the other, the retainers of the earl. Many were taken prisoners,
and more were wounded and killed, among whom a certain knight
named Geofirey Talbot, valorous but crafty, now with the king, now
with the earl, subtle in every action, was mortally hurt, and dying
of his wounds on the 11th of the kalends of September [22d Aug.]
was buried along with the canons at Gloucester. Tlie royal troops
however gained the victory. Before the Nativity of St. Mary [8th
Sept.], Robert, son of king Henry, at the instigation of Ralph
Paganel, having associated with himself the knights of the earl of
Warwick along with those whom he had brought out of Gloucester,
and many other common soldiers, suddenly assaulted the tow^n of
Nottingham, and finding it unprovided with military defence, com-
menced sacking it, while the citizens on every side fled to the
churches. One of these, who had the reputation of being wealthier
than the rest, having been taken prisoner, was led strongly bound
to his own house and compelled to give up his gold. For this
purpose he led the greedy pillagers into his cellar, where all his
furniture was stored up. As soon as he perceived them intent
upon pillage, and occupied in breaking open doors and locks, he
craftily slipped away, and escaping through the chambers and hall,
he closed all the doors behind him and fastened them with bolts.
^ Here ends the MS. iu Corpus Christi College, Oxon. The remainder is trans-
lated from the editions, fol. Fraucof. 1601, p. 675, and of the E. H. S. ii. 127.
368 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1141.
After this he set fire to tlie place, and consigned his houses and all
his goods, together with the robbers, to the flames. It is said
that upwards of thirty of the men who had entered the cellar
perished in that fire, by which, as it is also reported, the whole
town was burnt ; for the knights and the whole army swore that
they were innocent of having set fire to it. By this means the
whole city was destroyed by the flames, and those inhabitants who
were captured outside the churches were carried away prisoners,
some even as far as Gloucester, The rest of the mob, men,
women and children, who had entered the churches, fearing to
sally forth lest they should be taken by the enemies, nearly all
perished as the churches fell a prey to the raging conflagration. A
cruel spectacle and most wretched, even to the enemy themselves,
to behold the temples of God, which even the heathen would
liave spared, consumed by fire ! In like manner was Nottingham
destroyed, a most noble city, it having continued from the period
when the Normans subdued England down to the present time in
the enjoyment of the greatest peace and tranquillity, besides being
populous and wealthy. The government of the abbey of Malmes-
bury was conferred by Henry, bishop of Winchester, legate of the
holy Roman church, upon a certain monk, by name Peter, nobly
endowed with learning and science. Having donned the garb of
veligion at Cluny, he had for some time held the Priory de
Caritate, being removed from which he was appointed to the
monastery of St. Urban the pope, in the diocese of Catalonia ; but
calamities increasing upon him, he was compelled to abandon that
place, and at the persuasion of the above-mentioned bishop of
Winchester he came to England, and this year undertook the rule
of the church already mentioned.
A.D. 1141. Stephen, king of England, after prolonged labours
in besieging castles in which (for the peace of the kingdom) he had
toiled five years and six weeks, at last at the siege of Lincoln
castle, on the day of the Purification of St. Mar}^ being Sexagesima
Sunday [2d Feb.], was surrounded and taken prisoner, by the just
judgment of God, by Robert, earl of Gloucester, the son of his
uncle, and Ranulph, earl of Chester ; and was carried first to
Gloucester on Quinquagesima Sunday [9th Feb.], and then to the
town of Bristol, and there consigned to prison. Many of his
adherents were captured along with him and loaded with chains.
In the meantime the empress, king Henry's daughter, was staying
in the city of Gloucester, and rejoiced exceedintily at this event,
she having now. as she thought, obtained possession of the king-
dom whicli had been promised to her by oath ; and having taken
counsel with her followers, she departed out of the city on the
fifth day after Ash-Wednesday [17th Feb.]; and accompanied by
two bishops, Bernard of St. David's, and Nigel of Ely, Gilbert
abbot of Gloucester, with many barons, knights, and attendants,
she advanced to the city of Chichester, in which she first rested
after the joyful intelligence, and of which she also assumed the
dominion. Departing thence, when she had come nigh to the
city of Winchester, there advanced to meet her, with magnificent
A.D. 1141.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 369
state and pomp, the prelates of nearly the whole of England, many
barons and chief men, knights innumerable, and divers abbots with
their retinues, two convents of monks of the city, and a third of
nuns, all chanting processional melodies and praises, and the
clergy of the town with the citizens and much people. The most
noble city of Winchester thus surrendered to her empire, and the
crown of the realm of England was delivered to her dominion ; by
the legate himself those were accursed who curse her, and those
blessed who bless her ; they who oppose her were excommuni-
cated, and those who obey her command were absolved. De-
parting from Winchester with her attendants, she went to Wilton,
where Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, was present to welcome
her. So great a concourse of people flocked together, that the
gates of the town barely sufficed for the multitude who entered.
Thence, after the celebration of the festival of Easter, she came
within the Rogation days [4th May] to Reading, where she was
received with honours, the principal men and people pouring in
from all sides in submission to her. One of these leading men,
Robert D'Oyley, was there summoned by her touching the sur-
render of Oxford castle, and upon his consenting to it she came
thither and received possession, and the homage of the whole city
and surrounding districts. Setting out thence with great joy and
exultation, she was received in the monastery of St. Alban's with
processional honours and rejoicings, and many citizens from
London visited her there, and held divers discourses touching
the surrender of the city.
In these days a certain horrible event befel in Worcester, which
we deem worthy of relation. On Wednesday before the octave
of our Lord's Ascension [11th May], about the ninth hour of the
day, at the town called Walesburn, distant one mile from Hamp-
ton, the bishop of Worcester's town, a violent whirlwind and most
dreadful darkness arose, reaching from earth to heaven, and striking
the house of a priest named Leofrid, which it prostrated to the
ground and shattered to atoms, together with its offices ; the roof
of the church also was torn off and cast across the river Avon, and
nearly fifty houses of the country people were in like manner
thrown down and ruined. Hailstones of the bigness of a pigeon's
egg fell, by the blows from which one woman was killed. At this
sight all present were struck with terror and dismay.
The empress, as we have before related, after a treaty with the
Londoners, hastened in security to the city, attended by many
prelates and nobility, and was received with processional honours
at Westminster, where she remained for a few days to set the
affairs of her kingdom in order, having first, as was meet, pro-
vided for the interest of God's holy church, pursuant to the advice
of good men. She gave the bishopric of London to a venerable
monk of Reading, Robert by name, in the presence and by the
orders of his reverend abbot Edward. God's affairs being thus
accomplished, the queen of England interceded with Matilda for
the king her husband, who had been taken captive and committed
to prison. The first and greatest nobles of England pleaded the
VOL. n. B B
370 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF li.NGLAND. [a.D. 1141.
same cause, ofiering to place at her disposal many hostages,
castles, and great riches, in order that the king might be restored,
not to his kingdom, but simply his liberty, promising also that
they would persuade him, after he had been dismissed from the
kingdom, thenceforth to serv^e God alone as a monk or pilgrim ;
but she heard them not. The bishop of Winchester, too, peti-
tioned that tlie government which belonged to his brother should
be given to his nephew, that is, to the king's son, but neither
would she hear him. The citizens also requested that they might
be permitted to observe the laws of king Edward, which were
excellent, and not those of Henry her father, which were severe.
But she refused good advice, being influenced by a spirit of too
great severity, and so she would not consent; in consequence of
which a great commotion arose in the city, and a conspiracy was
formed against her, so that she whom they had received with
honour was now ordered to be disgracefully apprehended. Being
warned however by some of the citizens, she betook herself with
her attendants to an ignominious flight, leaving all her own and
their apparel behind them. Perceiving this, the bishop of Win-
chester, who was also legate of the holy Roman church, busied
himself for the deliverance of his brother ; and in order to effect
this he secured tlie courage and good will of the Londoners in his
behalf. In the meantime the fugitive lady came to Gloucester,
where, having taken counsel with Milo, the ex-constable, she
returned with him immediately to Oxford, intending to remain
there until she could collect her scattered forces. And because
she had chiefly been influenced by the advice, and been supported
by the assistance of Milo, insomuch as up to that time she had
neither eaten one day's meals nor had any provision for her table,
except through his munificence or forethought — as we have heard
from Milo's own mouth — in order that she might the more straitly
bind him to her service, she bestowed upon him in reward the
earldom of Hereford.
On the approach of the Festival of St. Peter ad Vincula [1st
Aug.], her troops having now increased in valour and numbers, she
came, unknown to her brother, the earl of Bristol, to Winchester, but
finding that city already revolted against her, she took up her abode
in the castle. Wondering at her unlooked-for arrival, and exceed-
ingly troubled thereat, Henry, bishop of that city, escaped out at
another gate, and then and there escaped. Discord now broke out
among themselves, and this wealthy city, so long famous through
all lands, was encompassed with a sudden blockade, in consequence
of domestic quarrels, and was drained of its inhabitants and
property, while common soldiers and destructive mercenaries
rage furiously to and fro. Nor was even this sufficient for the
pontiff's wrath, for, goaded by fury and wishing to strike terror
and dismay into their minds, he gave orders that the whole town
should be set on fire and burnt; and this he accomplished. Thus,
on the second of the month of August, having fired the city, he
reduced to ashes the monastery of the nuns with its buildings,
more than forty churches, together with the larger and better
A.D. 1141.] THE CHRONICLE OF FLORENCE OF WORCESTER. 371
portion of the town, and lastly, the monastery of the monks dedi-
cated to the service of God and St. Grimbald, with its buildings.
There existed in this church of St. Grimbald a great cross and
a holy, formerly made by order of king Canute, and by him most
handsomely adorned with gold and silver, gems and precious stones.
Now, wonderful to relate, this cross, on the approach of the
flames, as if conscious of the danger which threatened it, in full
view of the brethren who were present, began to sweat and grow
black, thus tjrpifying the blackness of the incendiaries, while in the
very instant of its catching fire a horrifying crash of mighty thunder
thrice roared from heaven. The city having been thus made a
prey to the flames within, and beleaguered by enemies without, the
bishop is said to have addressed the following words to the earl of
Northampton: — "Behold, lord Earl, I have commanded these
things, do thou study to terminate them." Which words lay bare
the inmost feelings of the speaker's heart. Seven weeks after the
siege had been in progress, the bishop, weary at last of its protracted
duration, on the evening of the day preceding the Festival of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross [14th Sept.], commanded peace to be
proclaimed throughout the city, and the gates to be thrown open.
The empress had already mounted her horse, accompanied by, and
under the guidance of her brother Reginald; more than two hun-
dred of her knights were left behind as guards, under tlie com-
mand of the earl of Hereford; and then the bishop suddenly
ordered his men to arm themselves, to make a violent charge upon
the enemy, and take as many prisoners as they could. Many were
thus captured, and very many here and there slain; among whom,
a knight named William de Curcell, with six of his companions,
was put to death, and buried at St. Grimbald's. The empress,
hearing of this, was much terrified and disturbed thereat, and in
consequence she repaired to the castle of Luggershall, where she
arrived sorrowing and downcast; but she found no fit resting-place
there, on account of her dread of the bishop. By the advice of her
followers, she once more mounted her horse in male fashion, and
was conducted to Devizes, but fearing that she could not find
shelter there from her pursuers, she was placed already nearly halt
dead on a litter, and being bound with bandciges after the manner
of a corpse, and borne upon horses, was carried ignominiously
enough into the city of Gloucester. Her brother Robert, earl of
Bristol, having sallied out in another direction, was hard pressed by
the pursuers and captured at Stolibridge by the Flemings, witlx
earl Warren, and after being presented to the queen, who was
staying in the town, was by her command committed to the care or
William de \pres, and imprisoned in the city of Rochester. But
Milo, the earl of Hereford, hemmed in by his enemies, after having
cast away his arms and furniture, and glad to escape with life
alone, came in disgraceful flight, half naked, weary and alone to
Gloucester. The pursuing forces of the bishop having followed
.John, the aider and abettor of the fugitives, to the monastery of
Wherwell, when they could by no means expel him therefrom,
they, on the day of the Festival of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
B B 2
372 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND. [a.D. 1141.
[14tli Sept.], set fire to and consumed the church of St. Cross, and
with it the nuns' houses and property there; but after despoiUng
them of their vestments, books, and ornaments, and cruelly shed-
ding very much human blood before the holy altar, yet could they
neither capture the said John, nor drive him from his place of
refuge. Alfrida, during the reign of her husband Edgar,' the
glorious king of the English, erected this monastery in honour of
St. Cross in remorse for the murder of her step-son. In this state
of aifairs the bishop Henry, his anger being in some degree ap-
peased, but his covetousness much increased, at the suggestion of
the prior of Newminster, (which had been just burnt down,)
recovered from the ashes of the cross five hundred pounds of silver,
thirty marks of gold, three crowns, and as many footstools of the
purest Arabian gold and most precious stones, fashioned with sur-
prising and fairest workmanship, and stored them up among his
own treasures.
In the meantime the king and the earl were kept in durance,
but the queen, busying herself exxeedingly for the king, and the
countess labouring earnestly for the earl, after employing divers
mediators and trustworthy friends in this behalf, the result of their
mutual deliberations resolved itself into the following condition : —
namely, that the king being restored to his kingdom, and the earl
raised to the government of the whole of England under him, they
should both direct their efforts to secure the tranquillity and peace
of the realm, as they had hitherto been the authors and promoters
of all its dissensions and troubles. But the earl, refusing to act
without the consent of his sister the empress, dissented altogether
from the terms of this agreement, and spurned all hints of recon-
ciliation with the king. Whence it came to pass that they parted
mutually unpacified, and during the whole of the ensuing year the
whole kingdom and country were torn to pieces with rapine,
murder, and sacrilege.^
' A note in the margin of the MS. C. states, in reference to the monastery of
Wherewell, that " Aelfdryth, the wife of king Eadgar, influenced by remorse for
the murder of lier stepson, erected this monastery in honour of Holy Cross,"
thereby avoiding the error of the text. See Dugd. Monast. i. 256.
^ Here the printed copy ends abruptly. The continuation from A.D. 1152 to
1295, will be given hereafter in its own ajipropriate place.
THE END OF THE CONTINUATION OF
FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
APPENDIX TO FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
■ THE NAMES OF THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF ENGLAND.
KENT.
TJie names of the A,
rchbishups of the Church of Canterbury.
1. Augustine.
20.
Aethelm.
2. Laurentius.
21.
Wulfhelni.
3, Mellitus.
22.
Odo.
4. Justus.
23.
Dunstan.
5. Honorius.
24.
Aethelgar.
6. Deus-dedit.
25.
Sigeric.
7. Theodore.
26.
Alfric.
8. Berhtwald.
27.
Aelfeg.
9. Tatwine.
28.
Living.
10. Nothelm.
29.
Aethehioth.
11. Cuthberht.
30.
Eadsi.
12. Breogwin.
31,
Rodbert.
13. Jaenberht.
32.
Stigand.
14. Aethelhard.
33.
LanlVanc.
15. Wulfred.
34.
Anselm.
16. Feologild.
35.
Radulf.
17. Ceolnoth.
36.
WilHam.
18. Aethered.
37.
Theobald.
19. Pleigmund.
The names of the
Bishops of the Church of Rochester.
1. Justus.
15.
Beornmod.
2. Romanus.
16.
Burhric.
3. Paulinus.
17.
Alstan.
4. Ithamar.
18.
Godwin.
5. Damianus.
19.
Godwin.
6. Putta.
20.
Siward.
7. Cuichelm.
21.
Arnost.
8. Gebniund.
22.
Gundulf.
9. Tobias.
23.
Radulf.
10. Aldulf.
He succeeded Anselm in
11. Dunn.
archbishopric of Canterbury
12. Eardulf.
24.
Earnulf.
13. Diora.
25.
John.
14. Wermund.
1 Concerning these lists, and this sui^plemental matter generally, the reader
requested to consult the observations in the Preface.
374
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
EAST
SAXONY.
The names
of the Bishops of the Church of London
1.
Mellitus.
20.
Wulfsi.
2.
Cedd.
21.
Aethelward.
3!
Wina.
22.
Ealhstan.
4.
Erconwald.
23.
Theodred.
5.
Waldher.
24.
Wulstaii.
6.
Inguald.
25.
Brihthelm.
7.
Ecguulf.
26.
Dunstan.
8.
Wighed.
27.
Alfstan.
9.
Eadbriht.
28.
Wulfstan.
10.
Eadgar.
29.
Alhun.
11.
Coenwalch.
30.
Alwi.
12.
Eadbald.
31.
Alfward.
13.
Heathoberht.
32.
Rodbert.
14.
Osmund.
33.
William.
15.
Aethilnoth.
34.
Hugo.
16.
Ceolberht.
36.
Maurice.
17.
Ceorulf.
36.
Richard.
18.
Swithulf.
37.
Gilbert.
19.
Heahstan.
38.
Robert.
EAST ANGLIA.
In the reign of Sigebert, the most Christian king of tlie East
Anglians, bishop Felix, a Burgundian, converted the East Anglians
to Christianity: he was their first bishop, and fixed the episcopal
see in the city of Dunwich.
The names of the Bishops of the East Angles.
1. Felix. 3. Bertgils, also called Boniface.
2. Thomas. 4. Bisa.
Afterwards East Anglia was divided into two dioceses.
The names of the Bishops of Elmham.
1.
Beadwin.
2.
Northbert.
3.
Heatholac.
4.
Aethelferth
5.
Lanferth.
1.
7
Aecca.
2.
Aesculf.
3.
Eardred.
4.
Cuthwin.
5.
Aldbert.
6.
Ecglaf.
Aethelulf.
Hunferth.
Sibba.
Hunferth.
Hunbrvht.
The names of the Bishops of Dunwich.
Heach'ed.
Alfhun.
Hidfcrth.
Wermund.
Wilred.
ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF ENGLAND.
In the time of Ludeca, king of
of the West Saxons, Hunbyrht
East Angles.
12. Athulf.
In the time of king Edwy he
was sole bishop of the East
Angles. His successors were,
also, sole bisjiops.
13. Alfric.
14. Theodred.
15. Theodred.
16. Aethelstan.
17. Algar.
18. Alwin.
19. Aelfric.
20. Aelfric.
21. Stigand.
But he was ejected imme-
diately, and in his stead
375
the Mercians, and Ecgbert, king
and Wilred were bishops of the
22. Grimketell
was elected by briber)^ He had
at that time the two districts of
the South Saxons and the East
Angles, but he was shortly after-
wards expelled, and
23. Stigand was replaced.
24. Agelmar, brother of Stigand.
25. Arfastus.
26. William.
27. Herebert.
28. Eoverard.
29. William.
SOUTH SAXONY.
In the reign of king Coenwalch, Wilfrid converted the South
Saxons to Christianity, and was bishop in those parts for five years.
He also sent ministers of the Word to the Isle of Wight.
The names of the Bishops of the South Saxoiis.
1. Wilfrid.
of the Church of Seise i/.
T7ie names of the Bishops
2. Eadbert.
He was abbot of the mona-
stery of the holy bishop Wilfred,
called Selsey. He was after-
wards, in accordance with a
synodal decree, preferred after
Wilfrid's death to the bishopric
of the South Saxon province,
which up to that time belonged
to the district of Winchester,
whereof Daniel was tlien bishop.
3. Eolla.
4. Sigga.
5. Aluberht.
6. Osa.
The names of the Bishops of the Church of Chichester.
21. Stigand. 22. William.
He transferred the episcopal 23. Radidf.
see from Selsey to Chichester. 24. Sigefrid.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Giselhere.
Tota.
Wiothun.
Aethelulph.
Coenred.
Gutheard.
Alfred.
Eadelm.
Aethelgar.
Ordbriht.
Aelmar.
Aethelric.
Grimkytel.
Heca.
37&
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
WEST SAXONY.
Surrey, Berkshire, Southampton, Wiltshire, Dorsetsliire, Somer-
setshire, Devonshire.
Saint Birin was the first bishop of the West Saxons. He came
into England by order of pope Honorius, and converted king
Cynegils and his people to the faith, and baptized them : he was
sole bishop of West Saxony, and had his espiscopal see in the city
of Dorchester.
The names of the Bishops of the Church of Dorchester.
1. Birin. 2. Aeirelberht.
The names of the Bishops of the Church of JVinchester.
3. Wine.
In the time of bishop Aegel-
berht, king Coenwalch divided
West Saxony into two dioceses.
Aegelberht was grievously of-
fended at this, resigned his
bishopric, and returned to Gaul;
and Wine became bishop of
both dioceses ; but being shortly
afterwards driven by the king
from his bishopric, he was made
bishop of London.
4. Leutherius.
Leutherius was sole bishop of
the Gewissi [West Saxons].
5. Headdi.
Saint Headdi was sole bishop
of the Gewissi. On his death
the bishopric of that province
was divided into two dioceses ;
at that time Ini was king of the
West Saxons, Brihtwald arch-
bishop of Canterbiu'y, and Ecg-
win bishop of the Hwiccas. One
diocese was given to Danihel,
and the other to Aldclm, a rela-
tion of the said king.
6. Daniel.
Edward, the first king of the English, and Pleigmund, arch-
bishop of CanterbuiT, very wisely determined to appoint a separate
bishop to each tribe of the Gewissi, with a bishopric to each, and
dividing into five what had formerly been two. Having made that
arrangement, Pleigmund consecrated seven bishops to the seven
churches on one and the same day in the city of Canterbury, viz :
Frithestan to the church of Winchester, Aethelstan to the church
of Cornwall, Werstan to the church of Sherborne, Aethilhelm to
7.
Hunfrith.
8.
Kinehard.
9.
Aethelhard.
10.
Egbald.
11.
Dudd.
12.
Kineberht.
13.
Alhmund.
14.
Wigthein.
15.
Herefrid.
16.
Eadmund.
17.
Helmstan.
18.
Suithun.
19.
Alhfrith.
20.
Dcnewlf.
21.
Frithestan.
22.
Birnstan.
23.
24.
Alpheag the bald.
Aelfsi.
25.
Ethelwald.
26.
27.
Alpheag the martyr.
Kenulf.
28.
Athclwold.
29.
Alfsi.
30.
Alfwin.
31.
Sti^and.
32.
Walcclin.
33.
William.
34.
Henry.
ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF ENGLAND. 377
the church of Wells, Eadulf to the church of Crediton, Bernethun
to the South Saxons, and Coenulf, bishop of the city called Dor-
chester, for the South Mercians.
The names of the Bishops
1. Aethelstan.
2. Odo.
This holy man succeeded
Wulfhelm in the archbishopric
of Canterbury.
3. Osulf.
4. Alfstan.
5. Alfgar.
6. Sigeric.
7. Alfric.
These two were archbishops
of Canterbury.
8. Brightwold.
9. Heremann.
The names of the Bishops
1. Aldelm.
Saint Aldelm, a kinsman of
Ina, the most beloved king of
the West Saxons, was a most
excellent harp-player, a most
eloquent Saxon and Latin poet,
a most skilful singer, a famous
teacher of elegant diction, and a
marvel of erudition as well in
the liberal sciences as in eccle-
siastical literature. He was first
a pupil of the learned Maidulf,
and afterwards of archbishop
Theodore and Adrian his assist-
ant abbot. While yet abbot of
Malmesbury, he wrote a famous
book against the heresy of the
Britons, the perusal whereof
brought many of them over to
the catholic celebration of Easter
Sunday. He WTote also other
treatises, for he was a man of
universal learning.
of the Church of Sumiiny.
He united the bishopric of
Sherborne, which he had re-
ceived from king Eadward, to
his own bishopric, and fixed his
pontifical throne for both bishop-
rics at Sherborne. But in the
reign of king William the elder
he transferred his see thence to
Old, Sarum by synodal autho-
rity and that king's royal muni-
ficence.
10. Osmund.
11. Roger.
of the Church of Sherborne.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Forther.
Herewald.
Aethelmod.
Denefrith.
Wigberht.
Alhstan.
Heahmund.
Aethelheag.
Alfsi.
Asser.
Aethelward.
Werstan.
Aethelbald.
Sighelm.
Alfred.
Alfsi.
Alfwold.
Aethelric.
Aethelsi.
Brihtwin.
Aelmar.
Byrhtwin.
Aelfwold.
The names of the Bishops of the Church of Wells.
1. Aethelm. 4. Wulfhelm.
2. Wulfhelm. 5. Brihthelm.
Both of these were archbishops 6. Kyneward.
of Canterbury. 7. Sigar.
3. Alpheag. 8. Alfwin.
378 CHURCH HISTORIAN'S OF ENGLAND.
9. Living. .12. Bodeca, a Saxon.
10. Aethelwin. 13. Gisa.
He was previously abbot of 14. .John.
Evesham. 15. Godefrid.
11. Byrhtwin. 16. Robert.
TJie names of the Bishops of the Church of Crediton.
1. Eadulf.
2. Aetlielgar.
He succeeded St. Dunstan in
tlie archbishopric.
3. Alfwold.
4. Sidemann.
5. Alfric.
6. Alfwold.
7. Alfwold.
8. Eadnoth.
9. Living.
On the death of his uncle
Brihtwald he united (by king
Edward's permission) the bi-
shopric of Cornwall to the bi-
shopric of Devonshire.
10. Leofric.
11. Osbearn.
12. William.
HECANA
The names of the
Bishops of the Mageset
as, or people of Herefordshire
1. Putta.
18.
Deorlaf.
2. Tyrhtel.
19.
Cynemund.
3. Torhtheras.
20.
Eadgar.
4. Walhstod.
21.
Tidhelm.
5. Cuthberht.
22.
Wulfhelm.
6. Podda.
23.
Alfric.
7. Ecca.
24.
Athulf.
8. Ceadda.
25.
Aethelstan.
9. Aldberht.
26.
Leovegar.
10. Esna.
27.
Walter.
1 1 . Ceolmund.
28.
Rotberht.
12. Utel.
29.
Gerard.
13. Wulfhard.
"30.
Reignelm.
14. Bconna.
31.
Gosfrid.
15. Eiululf.
32.
Richard.
16. Cuthwulf.
33.
Robert.
17. Mucel.
HWICCIA.
How the Episcopal See came to be placed at Worcester.
The glorious and holy king Aethelred succeeded to the kingdom
of his brother Wlfar, the renowned king of the Mercians, who
was the first of the Mercian kings to embrace the faith of Christ.
Oshcr, subregulus of the Hwiccas, a most praiseworthy man, being
desirous that Hwiccia, over which he presided with regal authority,
should be dignified and ennobled by the possession of a bishop of its
own, counselled and earnestly entreated him [Aethelred] that he
ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF ENGLAND. 379
would beautify and exalt his [kingdom of Hwiccia], which was the
chief of the kingdoms of England, with more bishops than one,
a thing that he knew some kings of England had formerly done.
The king having been previously exceedingly anxious to do this
very same thing, fell in with his requests and wholesome advice,
and having commanded the attendance of Theod£)re, archbishop of
Canterbury, and requested him to divide the kingdom into a greater
number of dioceses, and appoint bishops thereto in convenient
places, the archbishop applauded the king's praiseworthy design,
and hastened to give eftect to it. So, in the year 701 from the
incarnation of our Lord, according to the Gospel, but in the year
679, according to Dionysius (whose mistake is yet followed by
the holy church), — he, with the consent of the said king and his
nobles, divided the [single] diocese of which Saxulf was then the
bishop, into five dioceses. And inasmuch as the city of Worcester
was, as well when the Britons and Romans were dominant in
Britain as now, the renowned metropolis of all Hwicca or Magesi-
tania, he very properly placed the seat of the bishopric there, and
made it the chief of the divided Hwiccian dioceses. Tatfrith, a
most energetic and learned man, from the monastery of the abbess
Hild, was chosen bishop thereof ; but before he could be ordained
he was snatched off by an untimely death.
II. The second [of the five dioceses] was that belonging to the
bishopric of Lichfield ; and he appointed thereto Cuthwin, a
religious and modest man.
III. Tlie third was the Mid- Anglian ; the aforesaid bishop
Saxulf made choice of this for himself, and fixed the episcopal see
in the city of Leicester.
IV. The fourth was for the province of Lindsey, over which he
placed the holy Aethelwin, a brother of the holy Aldwin, who was
abbot of the monastery called Partaneum, and directed that the
episcopal see should be in the city called Siddena.
V. The fifth was the South-Anglian : to this he appointed as
bishop Aetla, a man of singular worth and sanctity, from the afore-
said monastery of abbess Hild, and fixed the see of his bishopric in
the city called Dorchester. Afterwards, the venerable Bosel was
elected to supply the place of Tatfrith, and was, like the rest,
ordained by archbishop Theodore, and had his episcopal see in the
said city of Worcester, which was at that period adorned with high
walls and fortifications, and excelled most cities in renown and
magnificence.
The names of the Bishops of the Hwiccas.
1. Bosel. 9. Deneberht.
2. Oftfor. 10. Heaberht.
3. Ecgwin. 11. Alhwin.
4. Wilfrid. 12. Wereferth.
5. Milred. 13. Wilferth.
6. Weremund. 14. Aethelhun.
7. Tilher. 15. Kinewold.
8. Heathored. 16. Dunstan.
380 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
17. Oswald. 23. Aldred.
18. Aldulf. 24. Wulstan.
19. Wulstan. 25. Samson.
20. Leofsi. 26. Teoulf.
21. Brihteag. 27. Simon.
22. Living. 28. John.
MERCIA.
The names of the Bishops of Lichfield.
When Penda, the pagan king of the Mercians, was slain, and
the christian king Oswiu took possession of his kingdom and con-
verted the Mercians and people of the neighbouring provinces to
the faith of Christ, in the year of our Lord's incarnation 656,
Diuma was made first bishop of the Mercians, Mid-Anglians,
Lindisfari, and of the adjacent provinces ; the second was Ceollach,
both of these were Scots ; Trumher was the third, being the first
bishop under king Wulfer ; Jarumann was the fourth : the fifth
w^as Ceadda, whose episcopal see was at a place called Licetfeld
[Lichfield], where all subsequent bishops of that province fixed
their see ; the sixth was Winfrid, and the seventh was Saxulf.
These five last were Endishmen.
1. Diuma.
3.
Trumher.
2. Ceollach.
4.
Jarumann.
The names
of the
Bishop
^s of Lichfield.
5. Ceadda.
He was bishop in the time of
6. Winfrid.
Burhred, king of the Mercians,
7. Saxulf.
and
Alfred king of the West
After Saxulf the Merci;
m pro-
Saxons.
vince had two bishops, n
lamely.
21.
Aelle, also called Aelfwin.
llcadda and Wilfrid.
He was bishop in the time of
8. Headda.
Aethelstan, king of all Enuland.
<). Aldwin, also called Wor.
22.
Alfgar.
It was again divided into two
23.
Cinsi.
dioceses.
24.
Wynsi.
10. Huita.
25.
Aelfeg.
11. Hemele.
26.
Godwin.
12. Cuthfrid.
27.
Leovegar.
13. Berthun.
28.
Brihtmar.
14. Higbert.
29.
Wulsi.
15. Aldulf.
30.
Leofwin.
16. Herewin.
31.
Peter.
17. Aethelwald.
32.
Rotbert of Liniesia.
18. Hunberht.
33.
Rotbert Peche.
10. Cinefcrth.
34.
Rocjcr dc Clinton.
20. Tunbriht.
35.
Walter.
ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF ENGLAND.
381
MID-ANGLIA.
The names of the Bishops of Leicester.
1. Cuthwin.
2. Wilfrid.
After Saxulf, the province of
the Mercians had two bishops,
namely, Headda and Wilfrid.
Wilfrid, bishop of Hexham,
being driven from his bishopric,
received from king Aethelred
the bishopric of Leicester ; but
after a few years he was ejected,
and Headda presided over both
dioceses. Aldwin afterwards did
the same.
3. Aldwin.
4. Totta.
5. Eadberhl.
6. Unwona.
7. Werenberht.
8. Rethun.
9. Aldred.
10. Ceolred.
He was bishop in the time of
Burhed, king of the Mercians,
and of Alfred king of the West
Saxons.
1 1 . Leofwin.
He presided over the two dio-
ceses of Leicester and the Lin-
disfari, then united, in the time
of Eadgar, king of the English.
12. Aelnoth.
13. Aescwi.
By his assistance and co-
operation St. Oswald consecrated
the monasteiy of Uamsey, which
had been entirely built by him
and Aethelwin, ealdorman of
the East Andes.
Alfhelm.
Eadnoth.
Aetheric.
Eadnoth.
Ulf.
But he was in a short time
ejected.
19. Wulfwi.
20. Remigius.
He transferred
Lincoln.
21. Rotbert.
22. Alexander.
23. Rotbert.
the see to
LINDSEY.
Ecgfrid, king of the Northumbrians, having routed in battle
W^ulfer, king of the Mercians, obtained possession of the pro-
vince of Lindsey, and expelled bishop Saxulf therefrom. In his
place, in the year of our Lord's incarnation 678, Ealhed, king
Ecgfrid's chaplain, was ordained by archbishop Theodore as the first
special bishop thereof; but, inasmuch as Aethelred, king of the
Mercians, recovered that province by force of arms in the fol-
lowing year, he laid down his bishopric and returned to North -
umbria ; and archbishop Theodore afterwards made him bishop of
Ripon. After his departure, king Aethelred, at the suggestion of
Osher, king of the Hwiccas, requested archbishop Theodore to
divide his kingdom into a greater number of dioceses, and appoint
bishops thereto in convenient places. He was delighted at the
request, and divided Saxulf's bishopric into five dioceses, and
afterwards added a sixth.
The names of the Bishops of the Liyidisfari.
1. Ealhed. 3. Eadgar.
2. Aethelwin. 4. Kinebirht.
382
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
5. Alowioch.
Ealdwlf.
Ceoluulf.
Ealdulph.
Brihtred.
He was bishop in the time of
Burhed, king of the Mercians,
and Alfred king of the West
Saxons.
DEIRA.
The names of the Archbishops and Bishops of the Northumbrians.
PauHnus, a man beloved of God, was sent [to these parts] by-
archbishop Justus, and converted Eadwin, king of the Northum-
brians, and all his people to the faith of Christ, having previously-
received an episcopal see at York. But the king having been slain,
and the affairs of the Northumbrians being in a state of disorder,
he returned by ship to Kent, where he was honourably received
l)y archbishop Honorius and king Eadbald, and at their request
accepted the bishopric of the church of Rochester, vacant by the
death of Romanus. He died there and left his pall, which he had
I'eceived from pope Honorius.
The names of the Archbishops of York.
stead. After a long exile, Wil-
frid again resumed the bisliopric
1. Paulinus.
2. Ceadda.
Afterpresidingover the church
of York for three years, St. Cead-
da withdrew to devote himself to
the care of his monasteiy, called
Lastingaig, leaving Wilfrid to act
as bishop, not only of the church
of York, but also of all the Nor-
thumbrians and Picts. Wilfrid
being driven from the bishopric
by king Egfrid, two bishops
were consecrated by archbishop
Theodore in his stead, viz :
Bosa for York, and Eata for
Hexham. Three years after
Wilfrid's departure he added
two more bishops, viz : Tunberht
for Hexham (Eata remaining at
Lindisfarne), and Trumwine for
the province of the Picts.
Eathed however, who had re-
turned from Lindsey, he set over
tlie church of Ripon. On Tun-
berht's deposition, Eata returned
to the see of Hexham, and Cuth-
bert was set over the church of
Lindisfarne. On the death of
Eata, John was ordained in liis
of Hexham. On the death of
Bosa, John was substituted for
him at York.
Bosa.
John.
Wilfrid.
Ecgberht.
Coena.
Eanbald.
Eanbald.
Wulfsi.
Wigmund.
Wulfher.
Aethelbald.
Redeward.
Wulstan.
Oskytell.
Oswald.
Aldulf.
19. Wulstan.
20. Aelfric.
21. Kinsi.
22. Aldred.
23. Thomas.
24. Gerard.
25. Thomas.
Tinirstan.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
1.5.
16.
17.
18.
-M).
ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF ENGLAND. 383
The name of the Bishoj) of Ripan.
1. Eathed.
The names of the Bishops of Hexham.
1. Wilfrid. 8. Friotheberht.
2. Eata. 9. Alhmund.
3. Tunberht. 10. Tilberht.
4. Eata. 11. Aetbelberht.
5. John. 12. Heardred.
6. Wilfrid. 13. Eanberht.
7. Acca. 14. Tidferth.
BERNICIA.
Saint Aidan was sent by the Scots by whom he had been
ordained bishop, and preached the word of faith in those pro-
vinces in which king Oswald held sway, and asked and obtained
from that king an episcopal see in the island of Lindisfarne. On
his death the Scots ordained and sent Finan, who was made
bishop in his stead. On the death of Finan, Colman succeeded to
the bishopric ; he too was sent by the Scots. Colman resigned his
bishopric and returned to his own country, and then Tuda, who
was also ordained bishop by the Scots, succeeded to the bishopric.
When Tuda was taken from the world the bishopric was divided
into two dioceses. Ceadda was ordained to the church of York,
and Wilfrid to the church of Hexham.
The names of the Bishops of Lindisfarne.
1. Aidan. 15. Tilred.
2. Finan. 16. Wigred.
3. Colman. 17. Uhtred.
4. Tuda. 18. Sexhelm.
5. Eata. 19. Aldred.
6. Cuthberht. 20. Aifsi.
7. Eadberht. 21. Aldhun.
8. Eadferth. 22. Eadmund.
9. Aethelwold. 23. Edred.
10. Cinewlf. 24. Agelric.
11. Higbald. 25. Agelwin.
12. Ecgbert. 26. Weaker.
13. Eardulf. 27. WilHam.
14. Cutheard. 28. Randuif.
THE TERRITORY OF THE PICTS.
The names of the Bishops of JVhitherne.
1. Trumwine. 5. Aethilberht.
2. Fehtelm. 6. Beadwlf.
3. Frith ewald. 7. Heathored.
4. Pehtwin.
384
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
HERE BEGINNETH THE ROYAL GENEALOGY OF
THE ANGLES, FROM ADAM DOWNWARDS.'
Tne Genealogy of the Kings of the Kentish People.
Rigula.
Saeberht.
Woden.
I
Wehta.
I
Witta.
Wihtgila.
Hengest.
Horsa.
Ocga or Oric.
Oesa or Oisc.
I
Eormenring.
Aethelbyrt = Bercta.
I
Aethelbald = Emme. Aethelburga, also
I called Tate.
Oslava =: Eormenred.
I
Eormenbeorga.
Eormengitha.
Aethelred.
I I
Erconberht = Saexburh. Eanswith.
Ermenbiirga. Ecgbyrht.
I I
Eorcongotha. Eormengild,
Aetheldritha.
1
Lothere.
Aethelbryht.
1
Eadric.
1
Wihtred.
1
1
Aethelberht.
1
Aedberht, also called Pren.
Cuthred.
Baldred.
* The Genealogy from Adam to Woden having been already given in the
Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 855; and in Florence of Worcester, a.d. 849, is not hero
repeated.
GENEALOGY OF THE ANGLES.
385
TJie Genealogy of the Kings of the East Angles,
Eni.
Wodeu.
I
Casere.
I
Tytmon.
Trygils.
I
Hrothmund.
I
Hryp.
I
Wilhelm.
I
Wevva.
Wufili.
i
Tytla.
Redwald.
Eorpwald.
Sigeberht.
EcKric.
Reghe
Anna.
Aethelhere ^=z Hereswith.
Aldulf.
Beorua.
Aethelred =: Leofruna.
Aethelberbt.
Saexburh.
Aethelburh.
Aetheldryth.
Withgytb.
Eadmund.
VOL. II. C C
386
CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
The Geneahcjy of the Kings of the East Saxons.
Woden.
I
Seaxnete.
I
Gesecg.
I
Autsecg.
Swaeppa.
Sigefugel.
Bedca.
I
Offa.
I
Aescwine.
Sledda = Rigula.
Saexa.
Sigeferth.
Selefertli.
I
Sigebald.
Saeberht.
Saexraed.
Sigeberht.
Saeward.
Sigeberht.
Swithelm.
Saebbi.
Sigh
ere. |
Sigheard.
1
W
Offa.
Saelread.
Swithhaed.
Sigeric.
Sigeraed.
GENEALOGy OF THE ANGLES.
387
Genealogy of the Kings of the Mercians.
Woden.
Weothelgeat.
Waga.
Wihtlaeg.
Wermund.
I
Offa.
I
Angengeat.
Eomer.
Icil.
Cnebba.
I
Cynewald.
Creoda.
I
Pvbba.
■|
Peuda = Cyneswitha.
I
Eormenbeorge = Merewald.
Coenwlf = Aelfthrj'th.
I
I
Aelfthryth.
Ceoluulf.
Burhgenhild.
BeornwTilf.
Ludica.
Wiglaf = Cynethryth.
Aelfleda = Wigmund.
I
W istan.
Beortwulf = Seathryth.
I
Burghred :::: Aethalswith.
Ceolwulf. Berhtferth.
c c 2
388 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
The Genealogy of the Kings of the Lindisfari.
Winta.
I
Cretta.
I
Queldgils.
I
Caedbaed.
Bubba.
I
Beda.
I
Biscop.
I
Eanfertb.
I
Eatta.
Ealdfrith,
-q
3 =
<
o
"a
^ ^
5 ° f c
\ \7-Ti
I I" I
I r
t ^i_i_|i_i_Lj_i_}_ij-i_|i ^^
l|i
-ill!
1
^1
II ■
l-sJ-i-ij-i-iJ-i-l S
LLi I
?lf}^-l4i'l'}-!h
14 null
Cuthwulf. Cutha.
GENEALOGY OF THE ANGLES. 391
The Genealogy of the Kings of the West Saxons.
Cerdic.
Cynric.
f
teol.
Ceolwulf.
Cuthgils.
I
Cenferth.
Cenfus.
I
Cynegils.
Cuichelm. Coenwalch
Cuthred. Aescwine.
Aescw
Cutliwine.
Cutha. Cynebald.
Aethelbald.
Ceohvold.
Ceadwalla.
Mul.
Ine.
Aethelhard.
Cuthred.
Siyebyrht.
Cynewulf.
Bryhtric = Aedburh.
Ecgbryht.
Athulf = Osburli
Ingils.
Eoppa.
Eawa.
Alhmund.
Aethelbald.
Aethelbryht,
Aethered.
Aeifred = Aealcswith.
Ecgwin
■\Vulft udis
EdgUhl
= Aedward = Edgiva.
Aethelstan.
Aedmund = Aell'giva.
Eadred.
Eadwig. I
: Aedgar. = Aelfthryth.
I ^— , 1
Aedward. Eadmund.
Aegelfled.
Aelfthryth.
Aegelward.
Aelfgitha = Aegelred = Aelfgiva, or Imme.
Edgith.
Aelfgiva
rold.J
Aethelstan.
Godwine =
Harold.
Heardecnut.
Harold = Aldgith.
\VilleIra
WiUelm
Harold.
Mathildis.
Mathildis = Heinric = Athcleidis.
Stephanus = Matildis.
Heinric = Alienora.
392 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
TJie Genealogy of the Kentish Kings.
In the time of the emperor Martian, the Anglo-Saxons, on the
invitation of the Britons, sailed over to Britain in three ships, under
pretence of fighting in defence of that country, but in reality with
intent to subdue it. Their first leaders were Hengst and Hors ;
Hors was slain in battle, by the Britons, but Hengest, having gotten
the victory, began to reign in the year 455 from the incarnation of
our Lord ; and was the first of the Angles who was king of the
Kentish-men.
St. Augustine, who was sent by the blessed pope Gregory, con-
verted Aethelbert, king of the Kentish-men, to the faith of Christ,
in the thirty-fifth year of his reign, in the 597th year of our Lord's
incarnation ; he built the church of the blessed apostles Peter and
Paul, a short distance to the east of the city of Canterbury, and
enriched it with divers presents. Moreover, he built the church of
St. Paul the apostle, in the city of London, and the church of St.
Andrew the apostle, in the city of Rochester. To the bishops of
each of these churches, and also to the archbishop of Canterbury, he
gave many presents, and added landed possessions and revenues for
the use of their successors. His queen, Berta, was daughter of the
king of the Franks : St. Aethelburg, their daughter, was the queen of
Eadwin, king of the Northumbrians ; she built a monastery, at a
place called Limene, and lies buried there. Rigula, sister of the
said king Aethelbert and queen of the East Saxons, gave birth to
St. Sebert, king of that province. King Aethelbert died, and
entered the kingdom of heaven, in the fifty-sixth year of his reign.
His son Eadbald succeeded him : who, desiring to consult the
welfare of the church, and favour it in every way he could, studied
to live according to the divine ordinances. His queen, Emma,
w^as daughter of the king of the Franks : they had a daughter,
St. Eanswith, who lies buried at a place called Folccstan, and a
son, the regulus Eormenred. Eormenred's queen, Oslava, bore
him four daughters and two sons ; namely, St. Ermenberg, who was
the queen of Merewald, king of the West Angles, St. Ermcnburg,
St. Aetheldrith, St. Ermengith, and the holy martyrs Aethelred
and Aethelbriht, whom Thunor, the prefect of Egbert, king of the
Kentish-men, martyred by his orders. King Eadbald died, in the
25th year of his reign, and left his son Erconbert his successor.
He was the first of the kings of the Angles who ordered the idols
to be destroyed in his kingdom, and the fast of the forty days [of
Lent] to be observed. His queen, St. Scxburg, daughter of Anna,
king of the East Angles, built for him a monastery, in Shcppey.
St. Ercongota, daughter of the said king Erconbert and his queen,
St. Sexburg, being sent into Gaul, served God all her life, under
tlie abbess St. Aethelburg (her aunt by the mother's side), in the
monastery of Brie [Fare-mousticr en Brie], and lies buried there.
OF THE KINGDOM OF EAST ANGLIA. 393
Their other daughter, Ermenilda, was queen of Wulfer, king of the
Mercians. King Erconbert died, in the twenty-fourth year of his
reign, leaving his kingdom to his son Egbriht, who died in July, in
the ninth year of his reign, and was succeeded in the kingdom by
his brother Lothere. Lothere was wounded in a battle against the
South Saxons, whom Eadric, the son of Egbert, collected against
him, and died while his wounds were being dressed, in the month
of February, in the twelfth year of his reign. Edric, the son of his
brother Egbert, succeeded to his kingdom, and reigned one year
and a half. His brother Wihtred succeeded him in the kingdom,
and built the church of St. Martin at Dover. King Wihtred died,
in the thirty-fourth year of his reign, leaving his son Aethelbert
heir to his kingdom : the latter died in the thirty-sixth year of his
reign ; and was succeeded by his brother Eadberht, also called Pren.
Kenulph, king of the Mercians, while he was ravaging Kent, took
him [Eadbert] prisoner, and led him away into Mercia. Cuthred
succeeded him, and died in the ninth year of his reign. He was
succeeded by Baldred, who was driven from his kingdom by Ecgbert,
king of the West Saxons, in the year of our Lord's incarnation,
according to [the computation of ] Dionisius, 823. For 368 years,
down to this point, the Kentish kingdom stood ; but afterwards it
became subject to the West-Saxon rule.
The Origin of the Kingdom of the Kings of the East Angles.
The kingdom of the East Angles arose later than the Kentish
kingdom, but before the West-Saxon kingdom. It was governed
by several powerful kings, but Redwald was more powerful than
any : for all the southern provinces of the Angles and Saxons, with
their kings, to the confines of the river Humber, were subject to
him. He slew Aethelfrid, king of the Deiri and Bernicians, in a
battle in which his son Reinher was killed : and helped Eadwin,
the son of Aella, to obtain the kingdom. His other son, Eorpwald,
succeeded to the rule ; and, with all the province, at king Eadwin's
persuasion, embraced the faith of Christ. He was shortly after-
wards slain in battle, by a pagan named Ricgbert : he was succeeded
by Sigbert, his half-brother on the mother's side. Sigbert gave to
St. Fursey, who came over to him from Ireland, a grant of land,
and assigned a spot for the erection of a monastery, in a certain for-
tified place, called in the English language Cnobheresburh [Burgh-
castle] ; and afterwards he abdicated his kingdom (preferring a
celestial one), and transferring it to his kinsman Ecgric, he became a
monk in the monastery which he had prepared for himself. A long
time aiter^^'ards, in order to encourage the soldiers, although much
against his will, he was led out to battle against Penda, king of the
Mercians (mindful of his profession, he would carry only a wand in
his hand), and was slain, together with king Ecgric : Anna, the son
of Eni, who was Redwald's brother, succeeded to their kingdom.
His daughter, St. Sexburg, was married to Erconbert, the Kentish
394 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
king. St.' Aetlielburg, another daughter, was made abbess of the
monastery of Brie [Fare-moustier en Brie] in GauL The third.
St. Aetheldrith, first became queen of the Northumbrians, and
afterwards abbess of Ely. The fourth, St. Withburg, was a nun in
the same monastery [of Ely]. Their father, king Anna, was slain
by Penda, king of the Mercians, leaving his brother Aethelhere
heir to his kingdom. By his queen, the holv Hereswith, sister of
the abbess Hild, he had two sons, named Aldwulf and Alfwold :
he was slain by Oswi, in a battle against king Penda. He was
succeeded by his brother Aethelwold ; on whose death Aldwulf
succeeded to the kingdom, and reigned for several years. After
Aldwulf's death, his brother Alfwold succeeded to the government
of the kingdom. During the reign of Offa, king of the Mercians,
Beorna reigned in East Anglia ; and after liim Aethelrcd, who by
his queen Leofruna had [a son named] Aethelbert. He held the
kingdom of the East Angles for a short time only after his father,
for he was slain (although he had committed no offence) by Ofta,
king of the Mercians, during the continuance of a treaty of peace.
For the next sixty- one years, very few powerful kings reigned in
East Anglia, until St. Eadmund, the last of them, obtained the
supreme powder, and he was martyred in the sixteenth year of his
reign, by the pagan king, Hinguar.
From this time the Anglo-Saxons ceased to reign in East Anglia
for nearly fifty years. For East Anglia was without a king for full
nine years, being given up to the plunderings and utter devastations
of the pagan Danes, who endeavoured at that time to bring all
England under their sway. Afterwards the Danish king, Guthrum,
reigned there, and also in nearly all East Saxony, for twelve years ;
and Eohric, whom the Angles slew in battle, fourteen years. Sub-
sequently both provinces were under the tyranny of Danish earls,
until king Eadw^ard the Elder, after slaying many and compelling
others to go beyond sea, received the submission of the rest, and
annexed both kingdoms to the West Saxon kingdom.
East Saxony.
Tlie kingdom of the East Saxons had its rise after the Kentish
kingdom, in like manner as the kingdom of the East Angles had.
Their kings were nearly always subject to other sovereigns, and
oftener, and for a longer period, to the Mercian kings. Previously
to Sebert, who was the nephew of Aethelbert, the Kentish king, by
his sister Rigula, they were idolaters : but he, on the preaching of
Mellitus, was the first to embrace the word of truth. When he
departed for the heavenly kingdom, lie left his sons, Sexred and
Seward, who remained obstinate pagans, the heirs of his earthly
kingdom. They were shortly afterwards slain in battle, by the
West Saxons. They were succeeded by Sigebert, surnamed the
Little, son of the said Seward. On his death, Segebert, the son of
Segebald, succeeded to the government of the kingdom. On the
exhortations of Oswi, king of the Northumbrians, he turned to the
OF THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA. 395
faith of Christ, and was baptized in Northumbria, by bishop Finan ;
and in his reign the East Saxons, on the preaching of the holy bishop
Cedd, received the faith which they had before rejected. After a
long lapse of time, he was slain by his own relations ; for he obeyed
the gospel precepts, and was too indulgent to his enemies, and was
wont to pass over too easily their offences against him. His brother
Suithelm succeeded him in the kingdom, and was baptized in East
Anglia, by the said Cedd. After his death the helm of the king-
dom was taken by Sebbi, son of king Seward, who was the son of
the holy king Sebert, and by Sigher, son of king Sigebert the Little.
After the death of Sigher, Sebba was king : in the thirtieth year of
his reign he assumed the monastic habit, at the hands of Waldher,
bishop of London, and shortly afterwards died, and entered the
kingdom of heaven. His sons, Sigheard and Swefred, reigned in
his stead. After their deaths, Ofta, the son of king Sigher, was
made king. He was a most charming and graceful youth, and it
was the fondest wish of all his people that he might hold and main-
tain the sceptre of the kingdom : by the exhortations and persuasion
of the holy Kineswith, daughter of Penda, king of the Mercians,
[a maiden] whom he deeply loved, he quitted his country and king-
dom for the gospel's sake, and made a pilgrimage to Rome, in
company with Kenred, king of the Mercians, and the holy Ecgwin,
bishop of the Hwiccas : there he received the tonsure ; and, ending
his life in the monastic habit, attained to the vision of the blessed
apostles, which he had so earnestly longed for. Selred, son of king
Sigebert, succeeded him in the kingdom. He was slain in the
thirty-eighth year of his reign ; whereupon Suithred obtained the
regal throne, and held it for several years.
After his*death, but few kings reigned separately over the East
Saxons. For in the same year when the Kentish kingdom came to
an end, they voluntarily, and in company with the Kentish -men
and the South Saxons, made submission to Ecgbert, the brave king
of the West Saxons, and remained in subjection to him and his
successors, until Guthrum, the Danish king, got the mastery over
them. But London, with the adjacent territory, remained subject
to the Mercian kings as long as they reigned.
Mercia.
The kingdom of the Mercians had its origin after the commence-
ment of the Kentish kingdom. The Mercians, who, with their
kings, were for many years idolaters, little by little extended the
bounds of their kingdom. But Penda, who began to reign in the
626th year of our Lord's incarnation, according to the computation
of Dionysius, extended it much further than any of his predecessors.
Moreover, he slew in battle two Northumbrian kings, namely, St.
Eadwin and St. Oswald, and three of the kings of the East Angles,
namely, St. Sigebert, Ecgric, and Anna. His queen, Kineswith,
bore him five sons, namely, Peada, Wulfer, St. Aethelred, St. Mere-
wald, and St. Mercelm [Mercelln?], and two daughters, namely,
396 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
St. Kineburg and St. Kineswith. He reigned nearly thirty years.
Oswiu, king of the Northumbrians, slew him, with thirty of his
chief men, in battle, and brought his kingdom under his own sway :
but to his son Peada, whom his father had made governor of the Mid-
Angles, and who had been baptized in Northumbria, by bishop
Finan, he gave the kingdom of the South Mercians : for he was his
kinsman, having married his daughter Ahlfleda ; but he was basely
slain in the first year of his reign. Three years after king Penda
was slain, the ealdormen of the Mercians raised his son Wulfer to
the throne, and so bravely recovered their liberty and territorial
limits. Wulfer was the first of the Mercian kings who received the
washing of regeneration : he married St. Ermenild, daughter of
Erconbert, the Kentish king, by his queen St. Sexburg, and had by
her Kenred, and Wereburg, a most saintly virgin. His brother,
St. Merewald, king of the West Hecanas, married St. Ermenberg,
daughter of the petty king Ermenred, brother of the said king
Erconbert, and by her had three daughters, namely, St. Milburg,
St. Mildrith, and St. Mildgith, and one son, St. Meretinn. On Mere-
wald's death, Mercelin his brother reigned in his stead. Alfrid,
king of the Northumbrians, married their sister Kineburg. Her
piety towards God induced her to abandon the nuptial bed, and
she became a nun in the monastery which her brothers, Wulfer and
Aethelred, built for her, and which was called after her, " Kine-
burga's Castle : " her sister Kineswith also became a nun in the
same monastery. King Wulfer died in the seventeenth year of his
reign. He was succeeded by his brother, St. Aethelred, who
married Ostrith, sister of Ecgfrid, king of the Northumbrians, and
by her had a son, named Ceolred. Aethelred became a monk, in
the thirtieth year of his reign, and gave up his kingdom to his
nephew, Kenred. Kenred abandoned secular affairs, in the fifth
year of his reign, and went to Rome, where he ended his days in
the monastic habit. He was succeeded by Ceolred, son of his
uncle Aethelred, who died in the ninth year of his reign. Aethel-
bald, the son of Alwi, who was the son of Eova, who was the brother
of king Penda, succeeded him. The tyrant Bcornred slew him at
Seggeswald, in the forty-first year of his reign, and usurped his
kingdom. The king's corpse was carried to Rheopedun, and royally
buried. In the same year his cousin OfFa, grandson of Eanulf, and
son of Thingferth, slew the usurper Beornred in battle, and reigned
in his stead. Ofta's queen, Kinethrith, bore him two daughters ; to
wit, Eadburg, who married Brihtric, king of the West Saxons, and
Alfrith, who remained a virgin, and one son, named Ecgferth. He
died in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, and was succeeded by his
son Ecgferth, who died in the same year. To Ecgferth succeeded
the glorious Kenulf, the son of Cuthbert, who was grandson of the
grandson of the grandson of king Pybba. By his queen, Alftrith,
he had St. Kcnelm, and two daughters, named Quendrith and Burg-
enild. He died in the twenty-fourth year of his reign, and lies
buried at Wincelcumb : he left his son, St. Kenelm, heir to his king-
dom, who was murdered in the same year by the treacherous arts
of his sister Quendrith. His uncle Ceolulf succeeded him ; but
OF THE KINGDOM OF THE BERNICII. 397
two years afterwards was expelled, and Beornulf took possession of
the kingdom. After the lapse of two years, Beornulf was slain in
battle by the East Angles. His kinsman Ludecan succeeded him ;
but, two years afterwards, was slain by the East Angles, while he
was endeavouring to avenge his predecessor.
Wiglaf succeeded Ludecan in the kingdom. His queen, Kine-
drith, bore him a son named Wigmund, who had a son named
Wistan, by Aelfled, daughter of Ceolulf, king of the Mercians.
King Wiglaf died in the thirteenth year of his reign, and lies buried
at Rheopedun : Beorhtwlf succeeded him. Beorhtwlf 's queen,
Saethrith, bore him a son named Beorhtferth, who slew St. Wistan.
Wistan's body was carried to the monastery of Rheopedun, which
was very celebrated in those days, and was buried there in the
mausoleum of his grandfather, king Wiglaf. Heavenly wonders
were not wanting at the place of his martyrdom : for from the spot
where he was murdered, in his innocence, a column of light shot
up to heaven, and remained visible to all the neighbourhood for
thirty days. King Beorhtwlf died in the thirteenth year of his
reign, and was succeeded by Burhred, who married Aethelsuith,
daughter of Aethelulf, king of the West Saxons. In the twenty-
second year of his reign an army of pagan Danes expelled him from
his kingdom : he shortly afterwards went to Rome, where he did
not long survive, and lies buried in St. Mary's church, in the Saxon
School. In the same year that Burhred was driven from his king-
dom, the pagan Danes committed the temporary government of the
Mercian kingdom to his thane, Ceolulf : but after three years they
divided part thereof among themselves, and gave part to him, per-
mitting him to reign over it : he was the last of the kings of the
Mercians. After his death, Alfred, king of the West Saxons, in
order that he might utterly expel the army of pagan Danes from his
kingdom, recovered London and the adjacent territory by his
bravery, and obtained possession of that part of the Mercian
kingdom which Ceolulf had held.
The origin of the Kingdom of the Kings of the Bernicii.
In the year 547 of our Lord's incarnation, according to the
computation of Dionysius, Ida, the son of a very valiant chief,
named Eoppa, began to reign in Bernicia. By his queens he had
six sons, named Adda, Bealric, Theodric, Aethelric, Osmear, and
Theodher: and by his concubines, six others, named Occa, Alric,
Ecca, Oswald, Sogor, and Sogother: and he reigned twelve years.
His eldest son Adda succeeded him.
The commencement of the Kingdom of the Kings of the Deiri.
In the 559th year of our Lord's incarnation, according to
the computation of Dionysius, Aella, the son of a very valiant
chieftain named Iffi, began to reign in Deira, and he reigned for
nearly thirty years. Meanwhile, and during Aella's lifetime, the
following kings reigned over the Bernicians: Adda, the eldest son
398 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
of Ida, for seven years ; Clappa, for five years ; Theodulf, for one
year ; Freothulf, for seven years ; Thcodoric, for seven years ; and
Aethelric for two years. On Aella's death Aethelric expelled his
son Edwin, then three years old, from the kingdom, and reigned
over both provinces for the space of five years. On his death, his
son Aethelfrid took the helm of the kingdom. His queen, Acha, a
daughter of king Aella, bore him seven sons, namely, Eanfrid, Oshif,
Oslac, St. Oswald the king, king Oswiu, Ofta, and Oswudu ; and
one daughter, namely the holy abbess Aebba. His brother, Theod-
bald, was slain in a battle wherein he conquered Aidan, king of the
Scots. And he too was slain in battle by Redwald, king of the
East Angles, in the twenty-fourth year of his reign. He was suc-
ceeded by St. Edwin, the son of Aella. To him, while in exile,
Quenburg, daughter of Creoda, king of the INIercians, bore two sons,
named Osfrith and Eadfrith, the latter of whom had a son, named
Hereric, who had by Beorhtsuith two daughters, namely, the
holy abbess Hild, foundress of the monastery called Streoneshalh
[Whitby], and St. Hereswith, queen of the East Angles. By his
queen, St. Aethelburg, daughter of Aethelbert, the Kentish king, he
had two sons, namely, St. Aethelhun and St. Wuscfrea, and two
daughters, namely, St. Eanfleda and St. Aetheldrith. In the
seventeenth year of his reign, and the forty-eighth year of his age, he
and his son Osfrid were slain by Penda, the pagan king of the
Mercians, and Ceadwala, the barbarian king of the Welsh. He
[Edwin] was succeeded by St. Oswald, son of his predecessor,
Aethelfrid, and his sister Acha. In the ninth year of his reign,
Oswald was slain by the aforesaid Penda, king of the Mercians, and
was succeeded by his brother Oswiu. In the ninth year of Oswiu's
reign, St. Oswin, the son of Osric, who was the son of Alfric, who
was the uncle of king Edwin, began to reign over the Deiri, and
was slain in the seventh year of his reign. He [Oswin] was suc-
ceeded by Aethelwald, son of king Oswald. By his queen, Eanfleda,
who was a daughter of king Edwin, king Oswiu had two sons,
Ecgfrid and Aelfwin, and three daughters, namely, Osthrith, whom
St. Aethelred, king of the Mercians married; and Alhfleda, married
to Peada, king of the South Mercians ; and Alflcda, whom her
father dedicated to God as an offering of thanksgiving, after Penda,
king of the Mercians, was slain : for three years he ruled over the
Mercian and other southern provinces. He died in the twenty-
eighth year of his reign, leaving his son Ecgfrid heir to his kingdom.
Ecgfrid was slain by the Picts, in the fifteenth year of his reign.
His brother Alhfrid succeeded him, and died in the twentieth year
of his reign. Alhfrid was succeeded by his son Osred, who was
slain in the eleventh year of liis reign. Osred was succeeded by
Kenrcd, the son of Cuthwin, who was grandson of a grandson of
king Ida; after two years he died, and Osric was made king. Osric
died in the eleventh year of his reign, and Ceoluulf, his predecessor's
brother, succeeded. Ceoluulf became a monk in the ninth year of
his reign, leaving the government of the kingdom to his nephew,
Eadbriht, son of Eata. Eadbriht became monk in the nineteenth
[twenty-ninth] year of his reign, and his son Oswlf was made king;
OF THE KINGDOM OF THE DEIRI. 399
who after reigning one year was slain by the Northumbrians. Moll
Aethelwald succeeded; but in the seventh year of his reign he
abdicated the kingdom, and Alhred, the son of Eanwin, grandson
of a grandson of a grandson of king Ida, succeeded to the kingdom.
Him the Northumbrians expelled from the kingdom in the ninth
year of his reign, and raised to the throne Aethelred, also called
Aethelbert, son of king Moll. The Northumbrians deposed Aethel-
red in the fifth year of his reign, and made Alfwold king, who was
slain the eleventh year of his reign by a very powerful man, named
Siga. On the spot where he was slain,
" Sent down from heaven, a light resplendent shone."
He w^as succeeded in the kingdom by his nephew Osred, son of
Alhred ; after the space of a year the Northumbrians expelled him
also, and took back king Aethelbert whom they had previously
deposed. He being slain by his subjects, Osbald succeeded to the
kingdom, and held it for a few days : he was succeeded by Eardulf,
who reigned for one year.
For the next seventy-six years, the country was governed by
kings, of whom Osbriht and Aella were the last ; these, in the
867th year of our Lord's incarnation, according to the compu-
tation of Dionysius, were slain at York by pagans, consisting of
Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, Goths, and people of other nations.
From this year, the Anglian kings, who had reigned for three hun-
dred and twenty-one years in Northumbria, ceased to reign there
for fifty -one years. And they remained for the space of eight years
without a king, pillaged by, and in bondage to the said pagans.
For during that period, St. Eadmund, king of the East Angles,
being slain, and Burhred, king of the Mercians, being driven beyond
sea, and their kingdoms brought under the Danish sway, and Alfred,
king of the West Saxons, being nearly ruined, and the greater part
of his kingdom being overrun, these Danes kept marching through
and sailing round England, and were continually burning mon-
asteries with the monks and nuns therein, and churches with the
clerks thereof, and cities, towns, and vills, laying waste the fields,
and slaughtering the inhabitants. Nor is this to be wondered at,
for so powerful and numerous an army neither previously nor after-
wards came to England. It was commanded by eight kings, namely,
Bagseg, Halfdene, Hynguar, Hubba, Guthrum, Oskitell, Amund,
and Eowils, and more than twenty earls, and was furnished with a
great variety of weapons. Wlioever wishes to become acquainted
with the atrocities of all these, will find them set down seriatim and
at large in the Chronicle of Chronicles : in this tract we have been
careful to insert only the more important events. It only remains
to be obsei-ved that Aethelstan, the glorious king of the West
Saxons, was the first of the Anglo-Saxons who was sole monarch of
all England ; he became so in the 926th year of our Lord's
incarnation, according to the computation of Dionysius, and the
477th year from the arrival of the Angles in Britain ; he was
crowned king of England, and was universally acknowledged as
ruler of all Britain.
400 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
The Genealogy of the Kings of the West Saxons.
The English Chronicle states that in the 519th year from our
Lord's incarnation, according to the computation of Dionysius,
Cerdic and his son Kenric began to reign in West Saxony ;
Cerdic died in the sixteenth year of his reign, and Kenric became
sole king: he died in the thirty-sixth [26th] year of his reign.
His son Ceaulin succeeded and reigned thirty-three years. Ceol,
who was his brother Cuthwlf's son, and whom he had made king
under him two years previously, ungratefully rebelled against him
[Ceaulin], and having expelled him from his kingdom, reigned for
live years in his stead. After Ceol's death, Ceolulf, the son of
Cutha, succeeded to the kingdom, and died in the fourteenth year
of his reign. He was succeeded by Kinegils, son of his brother
Ceol: he was the first of the kings of the West Saxons who received
christian baptism, doing so with all his people in the twenty-
fourth year of his reign, at the hands of St. Birin, the first bishop
of the West Saxons: king Quichelm, his son, died in the following
year, having been baptized by the same bishop. King Kinegils
died in the thirty-first year of his reign, and his son Cocnwalch
succeeded to the government of the kingdom. Coenwalch was
baptized in East Anglia by St. Felix, first bishop of the ]East
Angles : he built the church at Winchester, where the episcopal see
is, and died in the thirty-first year of his reign. His queen,
Sexburg, reigned after him for the space of one year. Then Kenfus
reigned for two years, so says king Alfred: but the English
Chronicle says that his son Aescwin reigned for nearly three years
after him. Then came Kentwin, son of king Kinegils, and he
died in the eighth year of his reign. He was succeeded by Cead-
walla the son of Kenbriht, who was a great-grandson of Ceaulin :
for Christ's sake,
" Leaving soon afterwards his earthly realm,
Ho went to Rome, the holy papal see ;
By Sergius wash'd in bajatism's sacred stream,
He, full of faith, adopted Peter's name,
Died, clad in sacred alb, and so reach'd heaven."
Ina, son of the subregulus Kenred, who was grandchild of a
grandchild of king Ceaulin, succeeded him in the kingdom, and
built Glastonbury ;
" Then the king spum'd away his royal pomp
From love to God his sovereign, — went to Kome,
And dying holily, rests there in peace."
He had a brother named Ingels, and two sisters, namely, St.
Cuthburg and St. Quenberg. Ina was succeeded in the kingdom
by Aethelhard, who was descended from king Cerdic, and died in
the fourteenth year of his reign. His relation Cuthred succeeded
him, and died in the fifteenth year of his reign. Cuthred was
succeeded by Sigebert, son of the subregulus Sigeric, who reigned
for one year. Kineuulf, a descendant of king Cerdic, drove
Sigeric from the kingdom and reigned in his stead. Kinehard,
the ethelinii, who was son of Siiz:eric, and brother of Sigebert, slew
OF THE KINGDOM OF THE WEST SAXONS. 401
Kinewulf in the thirtieth year of his reign. Brihtric, a de-
scendant of king Cerdic, succeeded, and died in the fifteenth
year of his reign. He was succeeded by Ecgbert, son of the
subregulus Alhmund, grandson of a grandson of king Ina ;
Ecgbert died in the thirty-seventh year of his reign, and was
succeeded by his son Aethelulf. He among his other laudable
deeds, ordered three hundred mancuses of denarii to be taken
every year to Rome, one hundred whereof were in honour of St.
Peter, for the purpose of purchasing oil to fill all the lamps of his
church on Easter-even, and also at cock-crowing ; one hundred in
honour of St. Paul for a like purpose, and one hundred mancuses
for the catholic and apostolic pope. Moreover he exonerated a
tenth part of his whole kingdom from all royal service and tribute,
and dedicated it to the Triune God for the redemption of his own
soul and those of his predecessors. After his death and burial at
Winchester, his son Aethelbald succeeded to the kingdom, and
died in the third year of his reign. His brother Aethelbert suc-
ceeded him and reigned for five years. After him his brother Ae-
thelred reigned for eight [five ?] years. During his reign Aella and
Osbriht, kings of the Northumbrians, and St. Eadmund, king of
the East Angles, were slain by the pagan Danes, who took posses-
sion of their kingdoms. On Aethelred's death his brother Alfred
succeeded. Alfred was the most elegant of the Saxon poets, most
watchful in the service of God, and most discreet in carrying out
the judgments of his courts of law. He was sent to Rome by
his father Aethelulf, and was anointed king by pope Leo the
fourth. By his queen Ealsuith he had two sons, named Eadward
and Aethelward, and three daughters, namely, Aethelfled, lady of
the Mercians, Aethelgeova, a nun, and Aelftrith. In the third
year of his reign, Burhred, king of the Mercians, was driven from
his kingdom by the aforesaid Danes. King Alfred died in the
twenty-ninth year of his reign, and was succeeded by his son
Eadward. By his queen Eadgiva, Eadward had three sons,
namely, Eadwin, Eadmund, and Eadred : and St. Eadburg and
three other daughters, of whom Otto, emperor of the Romans,
married one, Charles, king of the Western Franks, another, and
Sihtric, king of the Northumbrians, the third. His first-born son
Aethelstan, was by Egwina, a lady of very high birth. He reigned
over all the provinces of England as far as the river Humber.
The Welsh kings submitted to him, and afterwards the kings of
the Scots, Northumbrians, and Stretwadali [Strathclyde Britons].
On his death his son Aethelstan succeeded to the kingdom ;
after whom his brother Eadmund reigned, and by his queen St.
Alfgiva had two sons, namely, Eadwi and Eadgar. Eadmund
being horribly murdered in his palace, his brother Eadred suc-
ceeded to the kingdom, and died in the tenth year of his reign.
Eadwi, his brother Eadmund's son, succeeded, and died in the
fourth year of his reign. By Eneda, a lady of noble birth, he had
St. Eadward, by St.Wulfrith he had St. Eadgitha, and by his queen
Alftrith he had two sons, Eadmund and Aethelred. In the fourth
year of his reign the canons were by his orders expelled from the
402 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
old monastery at Winchester by St. Aethelwold, and from Wor-
cester by St. Oswald, and monks were substituted. He died in
the thirty-second year of his age, and the sixteenth of his reign,
leaving his son Eadward heir to his kingdom. Eadward was mur-
dered in the third year of his reign by order of his step-mother
Alftrith, and his brother Aethelred succeeded him in the kingdom.
By Alfgiva, daughter of Agilbert the ealdorman, Aethelred had
three sons, Eadmund, Eadwi, and Aethelstan, and a daughter
named Eadgith. By Emma, daughter of Richard, earl of the
Normans, he had two sons, Alfred and Eadward. He died in
the thirty-ninth year of his reign. He was succeeded by his son
Eadmund, who had two sons named Eadmund and Eadward, by a
certain woman of noble descent ; but he perished in the same year
through the treachery of Edric Streona. After his death Canut,
son of Swayne, king of the Danes, (who had invaded England witli
a great fleet seven months previous to the death of king Aethelred,)
succeeded to the kingdom and banished the aforesaid sons of king
Eadmund. One of them, to wit, Eadmund, died in Hungary
while yet a boy; but Eadward married Agatha, daughter of the
German emperor, Henry the Third, by whom he had Margaret,
queen of the Scots, the virgin Christiana, and Eadgar the etheling.
King Canut died in the nineteenth year of his reign, having made
Hardecanut, his son by queen Emma, king of Denmark. Harold,
his son by Alfgiva of Southampton, succeeded him in England,
and died in the fifth year after his father's death. His brotlier
Hardecanut succeeded him, and died in the third year of his reign.
To him succeeded Eadward, his brother by the mother's side, and
son of king Aethelred. Eadward, king of the English, died in the
twenty-third year of his reign. By virtue of a disposition made by
Eadward he was succeeded by earl Harold, son of Godwin, earl of
the West Saxons, by Githa, sister of Sweyn, king of the Danes,
who was father of the holy martyr Canut ; by his queen Aldgitha,
who was a daughter of earl Alfgar, he had a son named Harold ; he
was slain in battle in the same year by William, earl of the Nor-
mans, who succeeded him in the kingdom. By his queen Matilda,
William had three sons, namely, Rotbert, William, and Henry ; he
died in Normandy in the twenty-first year of his reign. He was
succeeded by his son William, who died childless in the thirteenth
year of his reign, being struck by an arrow in the New Forest in
the province of the Jutes. He was succeeded in the kingdom by
his younger brother Henry. By Ids queen Matilda, Henry had a
son named William, and a daughter named Matilda, who was first
empress of the Romans, and was afterwards made countess of
Anjou.
Concerning the Kentish Kingdom.
Tlie Kentish kings reigned separately in Kent ; it contains the
archbishopric of Canterbury, and the bishopric of Rochester.
OF VARIOUS KINGDOMS. 403
Concerning the West Sazon Kingdom.
The kings of the West Saxons reigned over Wiltshire, Berk-
shire, and Dorsetshire ; (these shires are under one bishop, whose
see was formerly at Ramesbury, or at Sherborne, but is now at
Salisbury;) in Sussex, which had a separate king for a short time,
(the episcopal see of this province was in ancient times at Selsey,
an island in the midst of the sea, as Beda tells us, where St.
Wilfrid built a monastery; but the bishop now has his residence
at Chichester,) and in the provinces of Southampton and Surrey;
(these have one bishop, whose see is at Winchester;) and in Somer-
setshire (the bishopric whereof was formerly at Wells, but now at
Bath,) and in Domnania, called Devonshire, and in Cornubia, now
called Cornwall, formerly these had two bishoprics, one at Crediton
and the other at St. German ; but now there is only one, the see
whereof is at Exeter.
Concerning the Mercian Kingdom.
The Mercian king had dominion over the following districts,
viz : Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, (these have
one bishop, whose see is at Worcester;) Chester province, Derby-
shire and Staffordshire, (these have one bishop, who has jurisdic-
tion over part of Warwickshire and Shropshire, and whose see was
formerly at Lichfield, but now at Chester or Coventiy ;) Here-
fordshire (the bishop whereof has jurisdiction over half of Shrop-
shire, and part of Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire, and has his
see at Hereford) ; Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire,
Huntingdonshire, half of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Leices-
tershire, Lincolnshire, (over these is a bishop, whose see formerly
w^as at Dorchester, but is now at Lincoln ;) Leicestershire and
Nottinghamshire ; the spiritual care of these two last belongs to the
archbishop of York ; they formerly had a separate bishop, whose
see was at Chester.
Concerning the East Anglian Kingdom.
The kings of the East Angles ruled over Cambridgeshire, which
has a bishop whose see is at Ely, and over Norfolk and Suffolk,
which have a bishop w^hose see is at Norwich, but was formerly at
Helmam or Thetford.
Concerning the East Saxon Kingdom.
The kings of the East Saxons had dominion over Essex and half
of Hertfordshire ; the bishop of London had and has jurisdiction
there.
Concerning the Northumbrian Kingdom.
The kings of the Northumbrians had dominion over all tlie
region on the other side of the river Humber, as far as Scotland :
in it were the archbishop of York, and the bishops of Hexham,
404 CHURCH HISTORIANS OF ENGLAND.
Ripen, Lindisfarn, and Whit-hernc : the bishoprics of Hexham and
Ripon no longer exist, and tliat of Lindisfarne has been transferred
to Durham.
These were the divisions of the different kingdoms, although in
the vicissitudes of fortune sometimes one king extended his do-
minions by his valour, while others lost portions of theirs by their
incapacity.
Concerning the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
The archbishop of Canterbuiy had formerly these bishops under
liim, viz. the bishops of London, Winchester, Rochester, Sherborne,
Worcester, Hereford, Lichfield, Selsey, Chester, Helmam, Sidna-
cester, and Dunwich : in the time of king Eadward the elder there
were added those of Cornwall, Crediton, and Wells, in West
Saxony, and of Dorchester in Mercia. The archbishop of York
had under his jurisdiction all the bishops beyond the Humber, viz.
the bishops of Ripon, Hexham, Lindisfarne, Candida Casa, now
Witerne [Whit-herne], and all the bishops of Scotland and the
Orkney islands ; in the same manner as the archbishop of Canter-
bury has jurisdiction over the bishops of Ireland and Wales. Hostile
invasions long ago put an end to the bishoprics of Ripon and
Hexham : those of Chester, Sidnacester, and Dunwich have ceased,
I know not how. In the time of king Eadward the simple, those
of Cornwall and Crediton were formed into one, which was trans-
ferred to Exeter. Under king William the Bastard it was ordered
in council that the bishops should leave their vills and fix their sees
in the cities of their dioceses. So the bishop of Lichfield migrated
to Chester, formerly called the City of the Legions ; the bishoj) of
Selsey to Chichester ; the bishop of Helmam to Thetford first, and
then to Noi-wich ; the bishop of Sherborne to Salisbury ; the bishoj)
of Dorchester to Lincoln : the bishop of Lindisfarne long ago shifted
to Durham, and the bishop of Wells only lately to Bath.
Concerning the Bishops' Seats in the Council.
When the archbishop of Canterbuiy presides at a council, let
the archbishop of York be on his right hand, and next him the
bishop of Winchester, and let the bishop of London be on his left.
But if, in consequence of the death of the primate of Canterbury,
the archbishop of York preside at the council, then let him have
the bishop of London on his right hand, and the bishop of Win-
chester on his left. Let the others take their seats according to the
times of their ordinations.
THE END OF THE APPENDIX TO FLORENCE OF WORCESTER.
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